Borough of Point Pleasant Beach - Welcome to new members: Andrea Berger (not present) & John Dosch (present). John has an IT background.
- Guest Speaker: Zulma Soto, Director of Brick Senior Services.
Brick is very large with a large group they are serving. Program based on: outreach (5 staff) trained and educated, provide home visits, contact person; transportation services for medical, food shopping, assessments for programs, banking with 2 buses and other vehicles; Senior Center: activities & social programs such as parties, events, physical health programs, etc. Wide range. Applies for grants and has access to municipal funding.
Brick Seniors received special help from Mayor Ducey to have a vaccination event at the PAL building for 600 to be vaccinated.
ICE “In Case of Emergency” tag for refrigerators – These magnetic cards have vital emergency info on them so that police/EMT’s can quickly assist the seniors and get them the help they need when in crisis. Theresa spoke to Captain Kowalski who is looking into this and trying to coordinate with his EMS team and the boro to see if this is something already in place, or they need to implement one. EMT, Police know to check the fridge for these documents. (Barbara suggests borough purchases “File of Life” for these records.)
Zulma suggested buying in bulk, as it is cheaper, and may be able to bid through the town with bidders. Pricing will depend on size and details.
Brick’s population is roughly 75,000 so 25% are over 60. We service over 60. PPB looks to be the same in terms of percentage.
Brick’s Senior Services shared the cost of ICE tags. Used donation funding and some municipal funding for publications, and EMS provided some assistance.
Currently, no activities in-person due to COVID, but social services are still provided. Senior Center is used for AARP income tax preparation by appointment only. We have acrylic barriers to keep safe but was unable to keep safety with open classes. Decided to use zoom which is working well. Once weather improves, we will move outside.
Physical classes were most popular: yoga, dance, and parties – holidays, etc. Avg 75-100 people. Rent-A-Fair provided access to businesses providing services which were well-attended.
Our entire program is based on donation. We don’t ask for payment, but provide suggested donation i.e., $2/class. Because of grants, we cannot charge, but can ask for donations.
Bus trips are very expensive! We are lucky to have municipal funding, but we still suggest donations. We pay upfront and then donations are used to offset the price. We accept any donation available.
Brick has a Senior Center. Only time that we spent outside was for special events. Used a lot of the adult assisted living facilities that were very generous and would host luncheons there. We tap into a lot of our local places for donations to help offset the cost.
- Vaccine Update – Theresa reports that the committee has been using WGirls to get 8 seniors vaccinated so far and 3 more to come. There is a referral form online, and they return a call within 48 hours. Group formed to help women and underprivileged people, but now expanding to help seniors.
Wgirls.org works with the senior to find an appointment near their home.
- Treasury Report – Greg reported that the committee currently has $1250 in its budget. He also applied to the Fisher Family Fund for 2500. The committee incurred minor expenses with the Sham-ROCK and is working on a system for people to be reimbursed. If Fisher grant comes through, should have $4000 for printing and flyers, and other things for street fairs. Hoping to roll out subcommittee leads later on to get reimbursements.
- Grants/Funding – Theresa & Kristen are working on the AARP grant (due April 14).
TD: Hoping someone will want to look for funding or sponsorship or donations. If we do the tea in May, we may need two events to get everyone involved. Working with Kristen O’Rourke at AARP to ask for funding. The whole initiative is about livable communities and this fits in nicely with our committee.
Laurie: Home Grown Book Fair would be a great opportunity to set up a table. It is on May 22. Contact Kim Allen to get involved. Same day as the Sidewalk Sales.
Caryn created a flyer which will attach to a survey to hand out. We will start with door-to-door. My goal is to have 500 seniors vaccinated.
Loretta offered to look into RoboCalls for us.
Cornelia Calderone said Shore Caregiver Volunteers offer more services, and have calls if seniors want to be called, or will order groceries that way too – maybe at one meeting you could hear more about what they do. Caregivervolunteers.org is their website — Caregiver Volunteers of Central Jersey. It is a non-profit that operates out of Toms River. P: 732-505-2273
TD: Who can write letters to ask for sponsorship?
Patti: If you write, I’ll follow up.
Karen Testa: I’ll help too.
Outreach & Recruiting – subcommittee: to be done by foot/mailer.
John Dosch will be our “tech person.” I work in IT and I try my best to help Theresa. Currently sorting the spreadsheet of 470 seniors over age 75 and can sort by district, name or whatever. We will divide and conquer.
TD: Will leave flyers at town hall, library, stop & shop, etc.
Kristen to order address stamp.
Hospitality — subcommittee
TD: I’m sure there would be people interested in this subcommittee but who aren’t available tonight. Will send out an email asking for volunteers.
Special Events – organizing events, planning new events Laurie Vicari reported that we could have a table on May 22nd at the Home Grown event, where we can hand out flyers/surveys. Lots of foot traffic. She will put me in touch with Kim Allen of Barefoot Realty, who sponsors the event.
Other: We can also have a table at the town’s farmers markets held every month in nice weather for free advertising. (Volunteers)
TD: Cathy LaPlante is unable to continue, but we need a new secretary and will vote on the next meeting.
KO: Mentioned NJ Transit Senior Citizen & Disabled Residents Transportation Advisory Committee — to connect with Marion and email the wider committee details about the committee.
TD: Thank you to all and we will meet next on April 15th with guest speaker Maria LaFace from Office of Senior Services with Ocean County.
- Adjournment
