_____________________________________________________________ Senior Spotlight July/August 2019

You’re Invited to the

Senior Visitors Program

Annual Summer Picnic

For Seniors, Volunteers and Friends of the Agency

July 18, 2019

6:30 p.m.

at Christ Lutheran Church

1300 Augustine Ave.

Fredericksburg 22401

Please RSVP to (540) 371-2704 by July 12, 2018

Health and Safety

Look in this section of our newsletter each month for important health and safety tips and community health-related events or resources specifically for seniors! This month’s safety message comes from the National Child Safety Council, Senior Safe brochure. As the weather heats up this summer let’s all stay safe at home with these fire safety tips:

The most important thing a person can do to ensure a home safe from fires is to

install smoke alarms. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Never borrow the battery to

use elsewhere!

Have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. Smoke

alarms for the hearing impaired or visually impaired are available.

Test your smoke alarms once a month.

Replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year, when you reset the clocks for

Daylight Savings Time or on a special holiday or birthday.

Know 2 ways out of every room in your home and make sure they’re accessible.

Always keep eyeglasses, a working flashlight, and emergency keys beside your bed.

In case of fire, leave. Never dial 9-1-1 from a burning building.

Don’t panic and try not to rush. You could fall.

If your clothing catches on fire – stop, drop, cover your face with your hands, and roll back

and forth to put out the flames.

Never leave stovetop cooking unattended.

Use a timer as a reminder to turn off burners and the oven.

Keep stove surfaces free of clutter and built-up grease.

Have at least 1 charged and fully operational multi-purpose fire extinguisher in an accessible

place.

o Only fight a fire if:

Everyone is out

The fire is small and contained

It isn’t smoky

Behind you is a safe escape route

You know how to use an extinguisher

Our Stories You have probably heard the saying, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the

world.” This is certainly true of the many volunteers in our community. Volunteers are bridge builders. They

close the gap between generations and cultures. They reach out to those in need and help them forge a better

future. Volunteers are individuals making a collective impact.

Since May was National Volunteer month, I decided to ask some of our volunteers who have over 500 service

hours - why do you volunteer?

Barbara Stafford

“My senior has become my friend. My

favorite memory of volunteering is

laughing like crazed oldies at Kentucky

Fried Chicken – but I think you had to

be there, though.”

Niki Howell

“A favorite memory of my volunteer

experience is probably the day my

“senior” told me she loved me. I guess I

wasn’t ready for that! I volunteer

because I feel seniors are very

overlooked and need extra help and

attention.”

Laura Pryce

“Giving back is very important to me, but sometimes I am blessed more by what my senior does for me. She

always has a positive spin on a problem she may have. I am humbled and leave her house with a smile knowing

my personal issues are a piece of cake.”

Richard Compton

“I have visited many seniors over the years. Most have passed away now. I especially enjoyed visiting World

War II vets. Two veterans I visited were in Pearl Harbor during the war. Another veteran was at the Battle of

the Bulge. His birthday was on Veteran’s Day. He once got to throw out the first pitch at a Yankees’ exhibition

game. Their stories are important. Another client I had played the violin. I would bring my guitar to visit her

and we would play together for other residents. This always made everyone happy.”

Maria Cofer

“Volunteering is important to me in memory of my mother. I was not in the same country when she would have

needed the program. Now I am giving back. I also love people.”

Steve Flanagan

“Volunteering allows me to feel connected to the world. My daughter is my only blood relative. So, prior to my

marriage seven years ago, I really didn’t have a strong connection outside of work. Volunteering fills me with

happiness. It really is a selfish endeavor.”

Pat Quinn

“I have volunteered with Senior Visitors for the past 17 years because it makes a positive difference not only in

the life of the seniors I spend time with, it also fulfills a purpose in my life. It’s an opportunity to fill a void in a

senior’s day and allows me to be a part of something bigger than myself.”

Fun And Games Classic Toys

Find and circle all of the toys that are hidden in the grid.

The remaining letters spell a quote by G. K. Chesterton.

BALLOON

BARBIE

BEACH BALL

BOP BAG

CAP GUN

CHATTY CATHY

EASY BAKE OVEN

ETCH A SKETCH

FINGER PAINT

FLATSY DOLL

FRISBEE

G.I. JOE

GUMBY

GYROSCOPE

HOT WHEELS

JACKS

KALEIDOSCOPE

KAZOO

KEN

LEGO

LITE BRITE

LITTLE PEOPLE

MATCHBOX CAR

MECCANO

MR POTATO HEAD

NERF BALL

PADDLE BALL

PLAY-DOH

PLAYMOBIL

POGO STICK

POKEY

POP GUN

RADIO FLYER

RUBIK'S CUBE

SILLY PUTTY

SIZZLERS

SKIPPING ROPE

SLINKY

SOCK MONKEY

SOMA CUBE

SPIROGRAPH

SUPER BALL

TEDDY BEAR

TINKERTOY

TIN SOLDIERS

TONKA TRUCK

VIEWMASTER

WATER PISTOL

WEEBLES

WIFFLE BALL

WIZZZER

YO-YO

Did you enjoy this puzzle? Visit: https://www.puzzles.ca/word-search

Copyright © 2018 Puzzles.ca

Memorial and Special Occasion Gifts allow you to honor or remember a loved one, a friend, a relative or a special occasion. Your tax deductible gift will be used to provide free, supportive services to older adults in our community that can help them remain in their own homes. Please complete the following information: This gift is given to honor, OR in memory of:___________________________________________

Send acknowledgement/tax deductible receipt to:

Name ___________________________________________ Street ___________________________________________ City _______________________ State ______ Zip _______ Please make checks payable to MHAF-Senior Visitors Program

Mail to: 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401

Free Events You and Your Volunteer May Enjoy: Music on the Steps - At the Fredericksburg Branch, Mondays, June, July, & August, from 7:00-8:00, except July 1. Come out all summer long for great music. Lawn chairs, blankets, and picnics welcome. In the case of inclement weather, the concerts move into the theater. A variety of music can be enjoyed each week. Visit their website (www.librarypoint.org) for a list of specific performers or call (540) 372- 1144. 7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters Branch, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401. FREE

Fourth of July at Ferry Farm - Celebrate Independence Day at George Washington’s

boyhood home! Tour the Washington house, learn about archaeology at Ferry Farm, enjoy a patriotic flag retirement ceremony, interact with colonial and Civil War reenactors as well as members of the Patawomeck tribe, listen to festive music, view living history demonstrations and theatre performances, and participate in educational programs,

crafts, games, and hands-on activities for the whole family. Shuttles run between the Eagles Lodge, Ferry Farm, and Downtown Fredericksburg. Eagles Lodge – 21, Cool Springs Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22405. (Handicap parking available at Ferry Farm.), $1.00 admission. Performance by ENDURING FREEDOM HONOR TEAM - Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Join us on the steps of the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop as we celebrate our independence. There will be a live reading of the Declaration of Independence at 1:00pm and again at 3:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. July 4th Spectacular – John Lee Pratt Memorial Park opens 4:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. with children’s activities, backyard games, face painting and food vendor truck on site. 9:30 p.m. FIREWORKS

View Fireworks from Pratt Park or Old Mill Park: Fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m. *Bring lawn chairs *No tents allowed in concert area *No alcoholic beverages *No sparklers *No grills *Dogs must be on leashes

Check out your local Parks and Recreation Department for more special events and fun activities planned specifically for Seniors: Fredericksburg Parks and Recreation – Call (540)372-1086 for information or visit their website at www.fredericksburgva.gov . Spotsylvania Parks and Recreation - The Senior Center is located in the Marshall Center, 8800 Courthouse Road. For more information call Parks and Recreation at (540) 507-7533 or call the Senior Center directly at (540) 507-7564. Stafford Parks and Recreation – Call (540) 658-4871 for information or visit their website at www.staffordparks.com .

July/August 2019 Birthdays

Lessie R – 7/1 Priscilla K – 8/1 Normita H – 7/3 Irene G – 8/3 Frank T - 7/7 Neal W – 8/10 Grace D – 7/9 Jane C – 8/11 Darnell C – 7/13 Bonita A – 8/17 Rebecca J – 7/17 Barbara R – 8/23 Florence V – 7/23 Mary E – 8/24 Carol F – 7/25 Joyce T – 8/26 May Jane T – 7/26 Mary L – 7/26

If we missed your birthday, please let us know at (540) 371-2704.

“That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.” -Walt Disney

The hidden message is:

WHAT WAS WONDERFUL ABOUT

CHILDHOOD IS THAT ANYTHING IN

IT WAS A WONDER.

Free information for older adults, caregivers, people with

disabilities, Veterans, and their families.

Find resources in your community: health services,

transportation, housing, financial and legal information, exercise programs, support groups and

more!

www.VirginiaNavigator.org www.SeniorNavigator.org

or call (804) 525-7728

or toll free 1 (866) 393-0957

Senior Spotlight Senior Visitors Program Mental Health America of Fredericksburg 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1 Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401 mhafsv@mhafred.org 540-371-2704