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Senior center reports program lineup, transportation tops 6,000 rides; Friends group donates accessibility equipment
Summary
At its Jan. 9 meeting, the Town of Blackstone Council on Aging heard a director’s report highlighting upcoming programs (Chinese New Year celebration, Pound Fitness class, trips), ongoing hiring and the senior transportation program exceeding 6,000 rides in 2024; the Friends group donated two running boards for accessibility and is fundraising.
The Senior Center director reported on Jan. 9 that the center’s December events and January programming are underway and that town senior transportation provided more than 6,000 rides to seniors and people with disabilities in 2024.
The director, speaking during the Council on Aging meeting in the John Eldridge Room, summarized December events including an evening trip for seniors to the town tree lighting, visits to Blythewold Mansion and La Salette, and a holiday party at Salvini Pomodoro Restaurant. Looking ahead, the center plans a Chinese New Year luncheon with musicians from Boston, the return of a Pound Fitness class taught by Christine Lamoth on Friday mornings (the first session scheduled the day after the meeting), and a nearly sold-out trip to the Worcester Art Museum.
The director described the “Soup to Nuts” lunch program, which this month will feature selectmen speaking to seniors and hearing their concerns, and said the travel committee, garden club and a meditation class (including singing bowls) are restarting this month. The center also continues interviews to fill several staff positions, and the Senior Tax Work-Off program has opened and is processing applications.
On transportation, the director reported, “we provided over 6,000 rides last year for seniors and disabled people. So hats off to that department.” She said interviews for staffing have begun and thanked transportation staff for their work. Meeting participants emphasized the importance of keeping drivers informed when a rider’s plans change; one council member encouraged riders to call Dennis at the transportation office to confirm pick-up times and advised that the schedule typically operates within a 15-minute pickup window.
The Friends group update noted recent fundraising and support: the Friends purchased two running boards (also described as step platforms) to assist passengers boarding buses and contributed funds to reduce costs for the holiday party. The Friends said they will run a raffle for two Boston Bruins tickets on March 17.
Several council members discussed community volunteer options to assist homebound seniors during winter, including re-establishing a “snow angels” or volunteer shovel program and contacting local schools or scouting groups to organize neighborhood assistance. No formal program was adopted at the meeting; members said they will look into whether an organized volunteer list or existing contacts can be reactivated.
No votes were required for the director’s report or the Friends group update.
