By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
January 31, 2019 12:00 p.m.
The annual meeting of the Nassau County Council on Aging (COA) was held Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at 1901 Island Walkway – the site of their new Life Center.
In looking back, 2018 was a banner year for the COA, with perhaps the greatest milestone being the move from its former location next to Baptist Health off Lime Street to its new 25,000 square foot facility on Island Walkway which effectively doubles the number of seniors it can serve.
Janice Ancrum, President and CEO of the COA, outlined a number of other significant achievements including the fact that 2018 saw a 45% increase over the number of services provided the year before.
Some of the statistics and facts Ms. Ancrum spoke of included:
• over 55,000 trips being completed by COA’s fleet of 23 vehicles
• Meals on Wheels, the Soup Train and the congregate meals program served 33,423 meals
• the Adult Day Health Care program provided some 10,000 hours of respite care for individuals suffering from dementia
• over 40 classes were offered and enjoyed by 626 individual participants
• 272 volunteers provided over 11,000 service hours with an estimated monetary value of over $273,000
2018 also saw:
• the creation of a membership program garnering 266 new members in the last three months of the year alone
• 52,000 hours of home health care provided
• the most successful Senior Expo and Health Fair to date with a record attendance of 400 guests and 60 vendors exhibiting
As Ms. Ancrum addressed the packed house in the Grand Hall, she stated she was “proud, humble and ever so grateful.” She described the COA as being “a respite and a resource for the weary caregiver . . . livelihood for the transit rider who needs transportation to and from work, a social connection, a nutritious meal for hungry seniors, hope to the lonely widow or widower, a friendly visitor to a senior who lives alone and desires companionship and we are a beacon of light to the senior who needs a helping hand and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. We do it all.”
Ms. Ancrum was followed by board member Bob Bolan who outlined just what the board does and, as nominating committee chair, announced the members of the board for 2019 who are Barbara Gingher, Geoff Clear, William Gingrich, Tony Baia, Carol Cason, Lorie Chism, Rick Keffer, Susan Milana, Pastor Jeremiah Robinson, Jr., Ken Saitow, Steve Sell and newcomers Laurie Byrns, Tim Eberle, The Honorable Robert M. Foster, Kim Page and John C. Taylor Jr.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.