Four Barton County volunteers were honored for their service with the Senior Companion and Foster Grandparent programs at the monthly in-service meeting held on May 16 at the Great Bend Senior Center.
Great Bend volunteers recognized were Senior Companions Theresa Hall for two years of service and Juanita Lumpkins for 14 years; Foster Grandparent Hubert Brown for 10 years of service; and from Hoisington, Senior Companion, Jackie Pritchard for 12 years of service.
Senior Companions provide daily assistance and friendship to adults needing support to enable them to remain living in their homes as independently as possible. They may assist with light household chores, transportation assistance and provide respite care for caregivers. There is no cost for the service.
Foster Grandparents serve children with special needs in schools, day-care centers, with Head Start and in preschool. The Grandparents model appropriate social behaviors, engage them in conversation to improve communication skills and help children with reading and other school work. They provide consistency in a child’s life as a caring adult.
Senior Corps volunteers are individuals 55 years of age and older. Those with limited incomes receive benefits which include a tax-free stipend of $2.65/hour, a travel allowance, training, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and recognition. They are insured with accident and liability insurance while serving.
The programs are sponsored by Fort Hays State University and are part of Senior Corps. The service area includes Barton, Ellis, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Trego, Ford, Gove, Graham, Phillips, Hodgeman, Ness, Logan and Pawnee counties. For more information call 785-628-5809.