Nonprofit groups work to promote senior mental wellness during pandemic
Approximately 200 bags will be distributed to seniors this week, with a variety of items inside including journals, mind teasers, and water bottles intended to remind seniors that they haven’t been forgotten throughout the pandemic. (Submitted Photo)
CHENANGO COUNTY – Chenango Health Network and staff members from the Chenango County Area Agency on Aging have partnered to help bring gifts to seniors throughout the county.
According to Chenango Health Network Deputy Director Chris Paul, the idea to deliver gift bags to senior citizens throughout Chenango County began at the beginning of the pandemic.
Paul said it's important to recognize how difficult the pandemic has been for seniors in particular, and try to do something to help.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this for the senior population, we’re giving out 200 bags full of items like throw blankets, mind teaser games, and journals,” said Paul. “Staff members from the area agency on aging along with Brian Wessels have agreed to help out by coming to our office at 9 a.m. each day to pick up bags and deliver them.”
She said the bags will be distributed to seniors in locations including Norwich, Greene, Coventry, Oxford, McDonough, and Sherburne. She added that while she would like to continue to be able to do this in the future, it all comes down to the funding that’s available.
“We would like to continue provided that we have the funds to do so,” said Paul. “Unfortunately being a nonprofit, funding is scarce sometime, but we’re going to continue to do as much as possible even if it isn’t easy.”
Paul said it was important to the event creators that they help as many seniors as possible, not necessarily just seniors in one area of the county. She said hopefully showing seniors that they care will help lift their spirits and ease the remaining burden of the pandemic restrictions.
“I just want them to know that people care, that people are here and they can reach out,” she added. “They’re not alone, especially right now, things are starting to open back up but they’re not the same.”
She said in addition to distributing the bags which were paid for using a mental health first aid grant, Chenango Health Network will be offering mental health first aid courses, free of charge, starting in June.
Paul said law enforcement from Delaware and Chenango County have agreed to take part in the program, and anyone representing a business or organization that would like to get involved with Chenango Health Network’s programs or would like to learn more about the bags may call Paul at (607) 337-4128 for additional information.
According to Chenango Health Network Deputy Director Chris Paul, the idea to deliver gift bags to senior citizens throughout Chenango County began at the beginning of the pandemic.
Paul said it's important to recognize how difficult the pandemic has been for seniors in particular, and try to do something to help.
“This is the first time we’ve done something like this for the senior population, we’re giving out 200 bags full of items like throw blankets, mind teaser games, and journals,” said Paul. “Staff members from the area agency on aging along with Brian Wessels have agreed to help out by coming to our office at 9 a.m. each day to pick up bags and deliver them.”
She said the bags will be distributed to seniors in locations including Norwich, Greene, Coventry, Oxford, McDonough, and Sherburne. She added that while she would like to continue to be able to do this in the future, it all comes down to the funding that’s available.
“We would like to continue provided that we have the funds to do so,” said Paul. “Unfortunately being a nonprofit, funding is scarce sometime, but we’re going to continue to do as much as possible even if it isn’t easy.”
Paul said it was important to the event creators that they help as many seniors as possible, not necessarily just seniors in one area of the county. She said hopefully showing seniors that they care will help lift their spirits and ease the remaining burden of the pandemic restrictions.
“I just want them to know that people care, that people are here and they can reach out,” she added. “They’re not alone, especially right now, things are starting to open back up but they’re not the same.”
She said in addition to distributing the bags which were paid for using a mental health first aid grant, Chenango Health Network will be offering mental health first aid courses, free of charge, starting in June.
Paul said law enforcement from Delaware and Chenango County have agreed to take part in the program, and anyone representing a business or organization that would like to get involved with Chenango Health Network’s programs or would like to learn more about the bags may call Paul at (607) 337-4128 for additional information.
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