Senior Companions Juanita Lumpkins of Great Bend and Judi Welch of Larned, and Foster Grandparent volunteer, Hubert Brown of Olmitz were honored for their service to individuals in the community at the Senior Corps In-service meeting held in Great Bend on May 19th. Lumpkins has served 12 years with the program, Welch four years and Brown has been a Foster Grandpa for eight years.
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 also provide respite care to family caregivers. There is no cost for the services provided.
Foster Grandparents are placed in a variety of settings within the community, including schools, day care centers, Head Start centers, and hospitals. They spend time with and give attention to children, modeling appropriate social behaviors, helping with the development of language, mentoring troubled youth, tutoring in language, math and science, reading to the children, playing with them and giving them a hug, a smile and special attention.  
Senior Corps volunteers must be 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, accident and liability insurance, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays and recognition. They are insured with accident and liability insurance while serving.  
The Program is sponsored by Fort Hays State University and funded by the Corporation for National & Community Service, Washington, DC. Senior Companions serve in Barton, Ellis, Rooks, Rush, Russell, Trego, Ford, Gove, Graham, Phillips, Hodgeman, Ness, Logan and Pawnee counties. If you are interested in serving others, call 785-628-5809.