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LOA News
& Notes
February 2024
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Helping Older Persons Remain Independent for as Long as Possible. | |
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Soup for Seniors: Give a Senior a Hot Meal on a Cold Day
LOA's annual canned food drive is under way! Help provide a hot meal on a cold day and remind thousands of seniors in need that we have not forgotten them. For those who may be unable to drop off items in person, monetary gifts are accepted and appreciated, to buy shelf-stable items and support seniors’ nutritional needs. Join us by donating food (click here for a list of most-needed items) at one of our drop-sites from now through February 4, or bring your food donations to our main collection site, the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, on February 5 and 6.
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Lunch & Learn at LOA: Smooth Moves
Friday, February 16, 2024
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
At LOA’s Center for Health & Wellness, 4902 Frontage Road NW, Roanoke, VA 24019
Presented by: Monica Nicely, Realtor and Tammy Swader, Lawrence Companies Moving
Older adults have specific needs when it comes to moving -- from downsizing to a smaller space, to relocating to be closer to family, or needing guidance on "aging in place" concepts, senior moving specialists can help answer your questions. Learn what you need to consider to make a complete plan for your retirement move or aging in place.
Learn valuable information and enjoy a FREE healthy lunch! Register today by contacting Beth LaManna at (540) 345-0451 or clicking on the button below.
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Volunteers Needed: Insurance Counselors and Falls Prevention class leaders
LOA is seeking volunteers to be trained as VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program) counselors! You will receive training to become an objective volunteer so you can answer questions, in person or over the phone, about long-term care insurance, Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, hospital and physician bills or Medicare Advantage Plans.
For more information, please contact Delaine Caldwell at (540) 345-0451 extension 3041 or click the button below.
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LOA is also looking for volunteers to lead "A Matter of Balance" falls prevention classes! Coaches receive training to help participants become more confident about managing falls, help identify ways to reduce falls, and lead exercises to help increase strength and balance. A Matter of Balance classes are held either once a week for 8 weeks or twice a week for 4 weeks, for 2-hour sessions. If you are interested in being trained to be a coach for A Matter of Balance, please plan to attend:
Volunteer Training: A Matter of Balance class leaders
Tuesday, February 20, and Thursday, February 22, 2024
8:30 am – 12:30 pm
At LOA’s main office, 4932 Frontage Rd NW, Roanoke, VA 24019.
If you would like to attend the volunteer training or for more information, please contact Delaine Caldwell at (540) 345-0451 extension 3041 or click the button below.
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If you already volunteer, thank you! Please share the above information with others who may be interested in helping seniors. | |
Delta Dental of Virginia Makes Us Smile
We have huge smiles here at LOA, thanks to Delta Dental of Virginia! The Local Office on Aging is deeply grateful to be the recipient of a generous $5,000 grant from Delta Dental, as LOA was named the winner of their “Smile Tank” competition! Like the TV show “Shark Tank,” Smile Tank encourages Delta Dental team members to highlight the efforts of the organizations they work with to possibly win that organization $5,000.
LOA was nominated by Brandi Dawson, Corporate Communications Specialist at Delta Dental, who said: "I have seen the impacts of this organization from both the inside, as a volunteer, and from the outside, since my mom receives several of their services. My mom lives on her own, but she needs lots of assistance, and I am the sole family member who helps look after her. LOA helps lighten my load and gives me peace of mind knowing that I'm not alone in caring for her."
Thank you, Brandi, and Delta Dental of Virginia!
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Pictured L to R: Lauren Browning, Community Impact Manager at the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation; Ron Boyd, President and CEO of LOA; Brandi Dawson. | |
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Steve and Jan Shepard retiring after 27 years of volunteering
After an astounding 27 years of volunteering for Meals on Wheels, Steve and Jan Shepard are retiring. Since 1997 at the Williamson Road site, the couple has delivered a weekly Meals on Wheels route. They always showed up with smiles and giving hearts, and have also been wonderful helpers at Soup for Seniors, Let’s Give Lunch, and many other events for LOA. As they embarked on their final delivery, we gave them flowers as a small token of appreciation for all they have done for us. Through their efforts, they have impacted an untold number of seniors in our community. Thank you, Steve and Jan!
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Thank you, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the 2023 Roanoke Greek Festival
LOA was honored to be selected as one of the charity beneficiaries of the 2023 Roanoke Greek Festival. We were incredibly grateful to receive $7,500 from the proceeds of the festival! The festival, which had been on hiatus for a few years, was a huge success with beautiful weather and large crowds enjoying the delicious Greek food, music, culture, and tours of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.
Many thanks to our LOA volunteers who helped out at the festival. Our sincere thanks go to festival chairs Peter Simopoulos and Frances Simopoulos, LOA's own Danna Owen, Long Term Care Ombudsman, Father Theodore Lyketsos, and the generous congregation at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church for your generosity to our older neighbors in need!
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Gifts and Grants update
Recently the LOA was excited to be awarded generous grants and gifts from the following:
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Blue Ridge Equine Society: dog and cat food for pets of Meals on Wheels recipients, Pets Eat Too program.
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Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia: $100,000 for LOA's Personal Care, Homemaker, and Transportation programs, from the Fishwick Fund, Ann and Bill Scheer Fund, and Mary Louise Home Fund.
- Stanley Hill
- Howard Jones
- TMEIC Corporation Americas
Thank you to everyone who made a gift or donated items to LOA recently!
> Donate items to the emergency food pantry/toiletries
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LOA was delighted to receive a large donation of peanut butter and jelly from our friends in the Encore class at Parkway Church on the Mountain! They also let us know that they have chosen LOA as their charity to collect for each month this year! Thank you! | |
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OFFICE CLOSING: Please note that LOA will be closed
Monday, February 19, for the President's Day holiday.
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Local Office on Aging, Inc.
4932 Frontage Road
PO Box 14205
Roanoke, VA 24038
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Roanoke ................... 540-345-0451
Alleghany Highlands 540-962-0465
Botetourt Co. ........... 540-580-5085
Craig County ............ 540-864-6031
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