Generations
December 2, 2022 | Monthly News & Updates
COUNCIL ON AGING NEWS
Turkey Takeout Was A Success!
Thank you to everyone who donated and supported our 3rd annual Turkey Takeout - a Meals on Wheels event where we home-deliver a hot and nutritious Thanksgiving dinner to disadvantaged seniors and families in our community.

This year we served over 1,600 meals to Osceola County Residents! We are so grateful for all the support we received and can't wait for next year!
OCOA Christmas Shop - Donate Today!
Ho-Ho-Ho! We're back for annual Christmas Shop, where families in need can select free gifts for their children this holiday season.

If you would like to make a donation to our Christmas Shop, please contact:

Belinda Olivera
(407) 933-9534
oliverab@osceola-coa.com
NEWS & INFO
Thank You Disney For Your Support!
In wake of Hurricane Ian, The Walt Disney Company has contributed millions of dollars in relief efforts to those affected by this disaster. These support funds were also granted directly to organizations who are helping those who need assistance in the wake of the storm, including the Osceola Council on Aging.

After hearing about our 50th Anniversary Gala being canceled because of Ian, Disney made a generous donation of $150,000, covering our full fundraising goal for event!
“When we heard the Osceola Council on Aging canceled their annual fundraiser due to Hurricane Ian, we wanted to help. In addition to sharing critical resources with their organization, we were happy to cover their fundraising goal, knowing the positive impact their programs and services make for seniors in our community,” said Tajiana Ancora-Brown, Walt Disney World Resort Director of External Affairs.
While Disney cast members worked to prepare the theme parks and other areas across the resort ahead of Ian, the teams delivered items to local organizations, including 1,000 water bottles for the OCOA. Following the storm, hundreds of blankets, hygiene products and snacks for displaced residents were donated. Disney was also instrumental in consistent support while our special needs shelter was open.
We thank Disney from the bottom of our hearts for the years of support they have given us! Just as with our many community partners, we could not do our jobs without you. We are so grateful for your support in our community!
Kisselback Ford Holiday Food Drive
Kisselback Ford is partnering with the Osceola Council on Aging Food Pantry to support our community during the holiday season!

From December 1st-17th, you can drop off nonperishable food items at the Kisselback Ford Dealership from 9am-6pm.

For those unable to physically participate, you can still show your support by donating to the Holiday Food Drive
CLEO 30th Anniversary
Happy 30th Anniversary to the Centro Latinoamericano Edad De Oro!🎉

CLEO was established by the Osceola Council on Aging in 1992 with the goal of providing congregate meals for the Hispanic community, who were widely underserved at the time.
Disaster Relief Efforts for Seniors Displaced by Hurricane Ian
Thank you to Westgate Resorts, the Department of Elder Affairs, Senior Resource Alliance, and FEMA for all of their hard work in assisting those left devastated by Hurricane Ian. Your support allows for a longer-term housing option, dedicated accommodations, and the streamlining of critical services, such as: mental health and dental services, a continued congregate meal site, legal aid, activities and programming.
We’ve made incredible progress over the last several weeks, but our work is not done – and we are committed to supporting the comfort and rehoming of each of these seniors. We are grateful to the valued network of providers and partners who are working diligently to ensure the care of our seniors while working toward a permanent housing solution.
Senior Life Publications
Senior Wellness Expo
On November 10th, Hurricane Nicole caused the Senior Life Publications Central Florida Fall Senior Wellness Expo at the Osceola Council on Aging to be rescheduled for Thursday, September 14th, 2023.

This will be a bilingual event in English & Spanish. Stay tuned for more details!
Volunteers Help Kissimmee Army Veteran Fix His Home

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - U.S. Army Veteran James Mead, 75, was all smiles as he watched volunteers with Home Depot and The Osceola Council on Aging work on his home in Kissimmee. "It amazes me that people come around and do this. I've seen it on TV...

Read more
www.clickorlando.com
FOOD PANTRY
Food Pantry Services Available in Kissimmee and St. Cloud
The Osceola Council on Aging's Food Pantry program provides food bags to seniors, disabled adults, and disadvantaged families. We began providing food assistance programs to the Osceola County community more than 50 years ago and has evolved to provide nutrition assistance to more than 20,000 households every year.

The Council utilizes locally donated foods and funded social service programs to provide more comprehensive food packages and services to meet increasing demands in the number of low-income households served in our community.
Food Pantry Hours: Thursday from 9:30am - 11:30am

Open for Donations: Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
HEALTH & WELLNESS
In accordance with Federal Law and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis or race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all program.) to file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382 (TTY) USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Osteoporosis is a disease that consists of weakened bones and increased fracture risk. It's sometimes called a "silent disease" with few, if any, noticeable changes to your health to indicate you have it. In fact, the first indication of osteoporosis often is when a bone breaks.
Although it can strike at any age, osteoporosis risk increases for people over age 50. Women, especially white and Asian women, are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men, however anyone can still be at risk of developing this condition.
Taking steps to build bone health while you are young can literally make or break what will happen to your bones as you age. However, at every age, a healthful diet and regular weight-bearing exercise are important, helping to ensure bone tissue continues to build.


Bone Health and Diet

Bones may seem dry and dull, but they are far from it. They are constantly under construction; certain cells break down bone tissue and other cells use the calcium and nutrients from foods you eat to build new bone. If you are not physically active or getting the nutrition you need, bones will suffer — becoming less dense, weaker and more likely to fracture.


Bone-Building Nutrients

Calcium, the major nutrient needed to form new bone cells, is vital for bone health. Bones store about 98% of the calcium in your body. Some calcium-rich foods and beverages include milk, yogurt and cheese, and calcium-fortified soy milk. Other sources include soybeans, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified tofu. Calcium needs change at different stages of life:

  • Children ages 1 to 3 need at least 700 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Children ages 4 to 8 need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Children ages 9 to 18 need at least 1,300 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Adults ages 19 to 50 need at least 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day.
  • Women over age 50 and men over age 71 need at least 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day.

Calcium cannot build bones alone. It works with other nutrients including vitamin D, vitamin K, potassium and magnesium to increase bone density and strength.


Foods vs. Supplements

Supplements can't duplicate what foods offer naturally. If you don’t drink milk or consume other dairy products, make sure you're eating plenty of non-dairy sources of calcium and calcium-fortified foods and beverages. Consult with your doctor about taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D, especially if you have reached menopause or post-menopause.

registered dietitian nutritionist can help you choose the best supplement for your bones and talk with your health care provider to determine if you may be at risk for osteoporosis.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
December Holidays:
  • December 24th - Christmas Eve
  • December 25th - Christmas Day
  • December 31st - New Year's Eve


Due to COVID-19 all regularly scheduled meetings are being held virtually by Zoom. For more information on meetings contact Janice Casler at caslerj@osceola-coa.com

Wednesday, December 7th
Finance Committee - 3:00 pm
Executive Committee - 3:30 pm
Board of Directors - 4:00 pm
WALL OF DONORS
Thank you to all of our donors. We are not able to get a photo of every donor, but we thank you all the same.

We are so fortunate to have had so many of you reach out to us asking how you can help and what you can do to ensure our community is well cared for. As an essential business we provide meals and other services to members of the community in need. Your donations are more critical now than ever to ensure they continue to receive these services during this unprecedented time.

Our greatest needs are contributions, both monetary and grocery items, for our community food pantry. We are trying to keep up with the new demand and increasing needs to feed the community. Leveraging your monetary donations allows us to stretch your dollars to serve even more individuals.

CLICK HERE to make a donation today!


Thank You!
DECEMBER NEWSLETTER SPONSORED BY