The Senior Connection of Montgomery County Inc

Volunteers Are Essential

Through blazing summer heat and rainy autumn days, Jim Smith drives older area residents to the doctor, grocery store and on errands as a volunteer with Senior Connection of Montgomery County.

At age 70, he figures there’s a kind of karma to it. “I’m getting to the point where things are changing for me, too,” he said. “I’m glad to be driving [them] now because there’ll come a time when someone will be driving me.”

Smith said those he drives are so happy to catch a ride that they didn’t even complain when his air conditioning didn’t work well during the summer.

Some Senior Connection’s volunteers, like Smith, typically spend a few hours each week ferrying people to places they would have trouble getting to otherwise.

Other volunteers make calls to an older neighbor or go shopping for someone who is not able to do it for themselves. Others offer to read to people, write for them, or help with paperwork.

The organization maintains an umbrella liability insurance policy, which covers all the volunteers while on assignments.

A much-needed service

The Senior Connection was formed in 2003 from a merger of two nonprofit, interfaith groups. In addition to private donations, the group also receives public funds from Montgomery County.

Estelle Rollins started using the services of the organization seven years ago while she was receiving treatment for breast cancer. She needed transportation to appointments with her oncologist.

Rollins, who is now cancer-free and just needs to see her doctor every four months, appreciates the volunteers who provide her assistance.

“I can’t praise them enough because they helped me at a time when I was down and I thought I wasn’t going to get back up. They were there for me,” Rollins said. “They were just wonderful.”

Volunteers are critical to fill the gaps in services.  All services are dependent on the availability and willingness of a volunteer. 

A recent evaluation indicates the improvement in quality of life for those receiving assistance is signficant. 81% of those receiving services agree that they are able to keep medical appointments more frequently, 73% feel less stress about getting to where they need to go and 66% are better able to stay in their own home.

Liam McGrath has volunteers with Senior Connection for more than 10 years.  He has served on its board and is a past president.   McGrath said he volunteers about 6 - 10 hours per month assisting 2 or 3 clients.  "I get a feeling of instant value", he said.  "Clients sure do appreciate drivers and express it on the spot.  It's so clear how important what we do is to them."

Our Impact

This year we've provided voluteer services to 949 seniors on moreo than 9,300 occasions with services totallying more than $500,000 in value to the community.   The Senior Connection is the difference for many people between living independently and being forced into living choices they would prefer not to make.

 

 

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