Freezin’ for a Reason

The Gloucester Rotary Club and Rotary District 7930 will hold its 7th annual Polar Plunge on Saturday, February 4, at the Cape Ann Motor Inn on Long Beach in Gloucester at 11:00 am. The event is part of Rotary International’s ongoing campaign to eradicate polio in our lifetime. More than 200 people are expected to plunge into the cold waters off Cape Ann this year, including Gloucester Rotary President David Slade. Last year, over 250 people braved the icy waters, raising more than $95,000.

Since 1985, Polio has become the signature cause for Rotary International as it has teamed up with partners including The Global Poverty Project, The Global Eradication Initiative, The World Health Organization, and The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since that time, more than a billion dollars have been raised among Rotary clubs worldwide and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. When Rotary International took on the battle against this disease, more than 350,000 people spanning 125 countries were impacted. Today there are three countries left where it has not been eradicated– Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.

This year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has again pledged a 2:1 match for every dollar Rotarians raise toward eradication efforts (up to $35 million/year until 2018). For as little as $0.60, your donation can make the difference in changing a person’s life. Please support your local Rotarians as they brave the icy waters off Gloucester to help eradicate polio in our lifetime. With a district-wide goal of raising $125,000, the district is utilizing an electronic fundraising process. Supporters are encouraged to log on to https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/polio/team/Gloucester%20Rotary and make a pledge to help Rotarians lead the way to eradicate this dreaded disease.

For more information on how the Rotary Club of Gloucester serves the local and global community, visit http://www.gloucesterrotary.us or https://www.facebook.com/RotaryGloucesterMA.

Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1568243283204206/.

SeniorCare Inc. has received funding to provide respite services to low-moderate income, with a concentrated effort to reach the underserved such as the LGBTQ Community. In addition, specialist staff will support family caregivers in problem solving, decision making and finding options for short and long term care needs. This funding is available to residents of Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester by the Sea, Rockport, Topsfield, and Wenham. By definition, respite care is substitute care given so that the regular caregiver can take a break and get some relief from the burden of caregiving. Respite care can be for a weekend, a day, or even for an hour.

Caregivers are often at increased risk of depression and other health problems as a result of the stress of being a caregiver. Having respite care can enable the caregiver to keep providing rather than burning out or becoming ill themselves.

Caregivers looking for respite may qualify for this support. SeniorCare can cover the cost for in-home care, weekend stays at long-term care facilities, and adult day care services. To see if you qualify and for more information about SeniorCare’s Caregiver Support Services, contact Susan Doughty at 978-281-1750 x520.

The 2017 Rotary Raffle Calendars are printed and can now be purchased. This calendar is our best ever, displaying the award winning photos of Cape Ann taken by serious amateur and professional photographers. Calendars can be purchased from any Gloucester Rotarian or at these locations: BankGloucester, Local Colors, Building Center Gloucester, and Carroll K Steel Insurance.

$20 each.  All profits go to the club’s local and international projects.

An added bonus is that this is a raffle calendar, and all are numbered, with a limited number being printed. The Club will give away $50 every week next year. There will be “bonus” giveaways of $250 in June 2017 and $500 the in December 2017.

Congratulations to the following photographers whose work is featured in the calendar:

• January-   John Zellenka
• Febraury-  Karen Joyce
• March- Jim Sousa
• April- Steven D Carr
• May- Arlene Taliadoras
• June- Marion Bayly
• July-  Jim Sousa
• August- Phil Ierardi
• September- Elinor Teele
• October- Rich Correale
• November- Cate Partridge
• December- Amy Smith
• Cover- Marion Bayly
• Back Cover- Donna Ardizzoni

CLICK HERE TO DONATE TO #GivingTuesday

SeniorCare needs your help to continue helping our friends– like Mary. On Giving Tuesday-November 29, 2016, please consider pledging to donate $10 per month for one year. When 80 donors make this pledge, the cost of Mary’s services will be covered for one year-ensuring that Mary can safely remain in her home for as long as possible.Thank you.

In celebration of Veterans Day, SeniorCare and the Gloucester Council on Aging invite all Veterans to a special meal in their honor on Thursday, November 3, 2016, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Rose Baker Senior Center located at 6 Manuel F Lewis Street in downtown Gloucester.

The luncheon will feature lunch and Veteran recognition. Lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m.  The menu includes Dijon Pork with Gravy, Sweet Potatoes, Herbed Peas, Bread and Chocolate Pudding.

As part of the festivities, The Kiosk for Living Well will make a special visit to the Rose Baker Senior Center on November 3, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.  Veterans and friends are invited to stop by and try some Vets Trivia and other fun activities.

For information or to make reservations for the lunch, please contact the Rose Baker Senior Center at 978-283-0359. A $2 voluntary confidential donation is requested for non-veterans age 60+.

About SeniorCare

SeniorCare Inc. is a federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and a state designated Aging Service Access Point (ASAP) with offices in Gloucester and Beverly. Established in 1972, SeniorCare serves an area that represents more than 27,000 residents aged 60 and over, including the nine communities of Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester by the Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham. SeniorCare’s volunteers and staff work to fulfill its mission as a consumer-centered organization which provides and coordinates services to elders and others, allowing them to live independently at home or in a setting of their choice, while remaining part of their community.

SeniorCare Inc. will hold its annual autumn fundraising breakfast at Lobsta Land Restaurant, located on Causeway Street in Gloucester (Route 128, exit 12) on Tuesday, October 25, 2016, from 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.  Tickets are $12 per person and include your choice of pancakes, French toast, eggs, or a fruit plate with yogurt. Tickets are available in advance online at www.seniorcareinc.org, by calling 978-281-1750, or may be purchased at the door. Proceeds from the breakfast will benefit the full spectrum of programs offered by SeniorCare.

About SeniorCare

SeniorCare Inc. is a federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and a state designated Aging Service Access Point (ASAP) with offices in Gloucester and Beverly. Established in 1972, SeniorCare serves an area that represents more than 27,000 residents aged 60 and over, including the nine communities of Beverly, Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester by the Sea, Rockport, Topsfield and Wenham. SeniorCare’s volunteers and staff work to fulfill its mission as a consumer-centered organization which provides and coordinates services to elders and others, allowing them to live independently at home or in a setting of their choice, while remaining part of their community.

The Rotary Club of Gloucester will host a Trivia Night on Friday, October 28, at the Gloucester House, located at 63 Rogers Street in downtown Gloucester. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the game will begin at 7 p.m.  Teams of four will compete for the title of Cape Ann Trivia Champions.

All trivia fans are invited to this fun night of knowledge and laughter. The registration fee is $100 for a team of four players.  Proceeds from this event will support programs of the Gloucester Rotary Club.  The night will also feature a 50/50 raffle, a cash bar, and light snacks for purchase. Registration forms may be obtained any Gloucester Rotary Club member or may be downloaded from www.GloucesterRotary.us.

The mission of Rotary International is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.

SeniorCare Inc. will host a Veterans Appreciation Information Sharing Workshop on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the SeniorCare offices located at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester, MA. Veterans, their Caregivers, and the organizations that support Veterans are invited to attend. Francisco A. Ureña, Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Veterans Services, and local and state officials will attend the event.

There will be a brief presentation on the various programs available to Veterans through SeniorCare, including Caregiver Support, Options Counseling, and Homecare Services. Organizations that serve Veterans will be invited to share materials and a brief discussion of their services and updates to Veterans services.

There is no charge to attend. Light refreshments will be served.  For information and to reserve your space, contact Tracy Arabian at SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-508 or tracy.arabian@seniorcareinc.org. For more information about SeniorCare and its programs, go to www.seniorcareinc.org.

About SeniorCare

SeniorCare Inc. serves an area that represents more than 27,000 residents aged 60 and over.  We provide services to adults with disabilities and elders in nine communities. Established in 1972, SeniorCare has approximately 100 employees and nearly 400 volunteers. The volunteers and staff work to fulfill its mission as a consumer-centered organization which provides and coordinates services to elders and others. This allows them to live independently at home or in a setting of their choice, while remaining part of their community.

SeniorCare Inc. will host a presentation by Richard J. Sagall, M.D. regarding the difficulties many people face when trying to pay for their medications and options to explore to help on Thursday, October 13, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the SeniorCare offices located at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester, MA.

Everyday too many people face the dilemma of paying for healthcare or paying bills, rent and buying food. What they don’t know is that there may be help for them with their healthcare costs. NeedyMeds is the best single resource for information about these programs. In this presentation, Dr. Sagall will take you on an exploration of all the available types of help and how to best find programs.

Dr. Richard M. Sagall received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. After completing his family practice residency at the Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME, he practiced family medicine and occupational medicine there for nearly 20 years. During that time he began NeedyMeds. Dr. Sagall has written articles on assistance programs and occupational medicine topics for a number of publications. He has given presentations on patient assistance programs and occupational medicine throughout the country.

There is no charge for the workshop.  For information and to reserve your space, contact Tracy Arabian at SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-508 or tracy.arabian@seniorcareinc.org.

SeniorCare Inc. will host a presentation by Richard J. Sagall, M.D. regarding the difficulties many people face when trying to pay for their medications and options to explore to help on Thursday, October 13, 2016, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the SeniorCare offices located at 49 Blackburn Center in Gloucester, MA.

Everyday too many people face the dilemma of paying for healthcare or paying bills, rent and buying food. What they don’t know is that there may be help for them with their healthcare costs. NeedyMeds is the best single resource for information about these programs. In this presentation, Dr. Sagall will take you on an exploration of all the available types of help and how to best find programs.

Dr. Richard M. Sagall received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio at Toledo. After completing his family practice residency at the Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, ME, he practiced family medicine and occupational medicine there for nearly 20 years. During that time he began NeedyMeds. Dr. Sagall has written articles on assistance programs and occupational medicine topics for a number of publications. He has given presentations on patient assistance programs and occupational medicine throughout the country.

There is no charge for the workshop.  For information and to reserve your space, contact Tracy Arabian at SeniorCare Inc. at 978-281-1750 x-508 or tracy.arabian@seniorcareinc.org.