JOLIET — The Senior Services Center of Will County participated in this year’s March for Meals, which is an annual campaign sponsored by the Meals on Wheels Association of America to stimulate public awareness of the Meals on Wheels program, recruit new volunteers, increase financial support and ensure that no senior goes hungry. The agency has raised over $30,000 for the March for Meals campaign so far.
This year, March for Meals celebrates the 40th anniversary of the inclusion of Senior Nutrition Programs in the Older Americans Act (OAA). In March of 1972, President Richard Nixon signed into law a new Title of the Act that laid the groundwork for more than 5,000 senior nutrition programs. The OAA is the primary piece of federal legislation that authorizes and supports vital nutrition services, both congregate and Meals on Wheels, to Americans age 60 and older.
The campaign began with a “Mardi Gras Party and Silent Auction” kick-off event on Tuesday, Feb. 21 held at Harrah’s Joliet Hotel and Casino. This fundraising event was a Mardi Gras “Fat Tuesday” themed event including cocktails, classic New Orleans cuisine, a silent auction, and a fantastic evening out towards a worthy cause.
The March for Meals Campaign was continued with the annual Mayors for Meals day. On Wednesday, March 21, mayors and elected officials nationwide deliver meals with their local Senior Nutrition Program to seniors in their communities. Senior Services of Will County would like to thank Troy Township Supervisor, Joseph Baltz; Washington Township Supervisor, Robert Howard; Lockport Township Supervisor, Ron Alberico, New Lenox Township Supervisor, William McCullom; Lemont Administrator, Ben Maymier, Donna Yack from Silver Cross Hospital, and Darran Van Dover from Harrah’s Casino for volunteering their time to deliver meals.
The annual Bernadine Hudson Leadership Giving Fund Kick-Off was held on Monday, April 16 at the Senior Services Center of Will County.
The fund raises money to help support the services and programs the Senior Services Center offers to seniors throughout Will County. Last year, it served over 52,000 seniors, delivered nearly 100,000 hot meals to seniors and raised almost $50,000 for this fund.
This year, the Community Leadership Award was given to Mark and Sharon Dames. The Dames family has been long-time supporters of the Center and were very helpful when purchasing the building the center is now located in, which used to be the Dames Funeral Home.
In addition to the Community Leadership Award, the center also awarded three college students a $500 scholarship from local colleges, including Joliet Junior College, Lewis University and University of St. Francis.
Call the Center at (815) 723-9713 or visit www.willcountyseniors.org for more information or to donate to the March for Meals campaign. Contributions can also be mailed to the Senior Services Center, 251 N. Center Street, Joliet, IL 60435.
The Senior Services Center of Will County is a non for profit, United Way agency.
