Local services for seniors and cancer patients highlighted at Byesville Rotary

Pictured: Shana Fair, speaker Host; Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center; and Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President..

Reading for May 24:
May Rotarian, "Waste not," p. 37.

Board meeting has been changed to May 19, 12n, at Plus 1 Pizza, Byesville.

Sean Gress, Executive Director of the Guernsey County Senior Citizens Center and President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, spoke to the Byesville Rotary about the two hats that he wears.

Gress is celebrating 10 years of service at the Guernsey County Senior Center. He pointed out that there have been some big changes in 10 years. One change has been a big growth in demand for services such as home delivered meals. Gress reported that in 2001, the Senior Center provided 60,000 home delivered meals. Today, the Center provided over 330,000 per year.

Another big change is the development of two service populations with different needs and expectations. Center programs must now cater to Junior Seniors and Senior Seniors. Junior Seniors ages may range from 60 to 90. They are typically very active. Many continue to hold down a job, and many are also taking care of family. Senior Seniors may also be anywhere from 60 to 90, but they tend to be homebound or in assisted living situations.

Both sets of seniors come to the Center to stay active and engaged with other people. A social membership at the Center costs only $7 per year. Membership is open to anyone age 50 or older.

Gress stated that funding for the Center is evolving. Currently, income from the 1.6mil levy $400,000 per year is less than the operating budget expenses. The difference in income and outgo is made up through donations and contributions and an aggressive program of grant writing

As President of the Guernsey County Cancer Society, Gress is actively involved in providing support services to cancer patients. A diagnosis of cancer frequently imposes a financial hardship on the cancer patient and his or her family.

The Guernsey County Cancer Society can provide financial assistance of up to $800 per person to any Guernsey County cancer patient. The funds can be used for prescription drugs, transportation costs to and from treatment, home care workers, prosthesis and wigs, or nutritional supplies needed as part of treatment. The only requirement is that the diagnosis of cancer must be made by a physician. For more information about assistance contact 740-432-9290.

Funding for the Guernsey County Cancer Society comes in part from United Way of Guernsey Count. Additional funding comes from individual, wills and trusts, memorials and gifts, and other community organizations.

The club’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 24, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.

Meadowbrook Interact Club inducts new members

Picture 1--
Pictured: New Interact members. First row: Marissa Hood, Jaclyn Beskid, Alex Eckelson, Maurie DeLong. Second row: Brittany Shelton, Paige Taylor, Shelby Stover, Bethany Bergerson, Brittany Nixon, Brooke Aleshire, Tressa Stone, Sarah Stine, Andrea Kackley. Third row: Michael Fedorke, Derek Kackley, Spencer Gibbs, Kyle Roberts, Jared George, Andrew Nameth. Not shown: Alyssa Poland, Caleb curry.

Picture 2—
Pictured: Interact officers for 2011-2012. Tessa Bickford, Jessica George, Karli Tellep, Trislyn Treherne, Brooke Aleshire, and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary members attended the induction of 21 new members into the Meadowbrook High School Interact Club. The Byesville Rotary sponsors the Meadowbrook club. Interact Clubs are the Rotary’s service clubs for students age 12-18.

Interact clubs are expected to complete at least two community service projects a year. The Meadowbrook club members have set five goals for the 2011-12 year. Club members plan to provide volunteers to help at Byesville Rotary activities, to have club members participate in the annual Rotary sponsored Four-Way Speech competition, to recruit 10 new Interact members during the 2011-12 year, and to send at least one Interact member to each Byesville Rotary meeting. They are also planning to meet requirements to qualify for the International rotary Presidential Citation.

Current Interact officers Katherine Jirles, Katlynn Tonnous, Kate Kovalchik, and Devon Cork presided at the induction. They were assisted by Sharon Miller and Ryan White, Interact advisers. Joe Waske, Byesville Rotary President, and Tanya Hitchens, Byesville Rotary President Elect, welcomed the new members and congratulated the club on the service activities they participated in during 2010-11.

Interact officers for 2011-12 were introduced: President--Tessa Bickford; Vice President--Brooke Aleshire; Secretary—Trislyn Treherne; Treasurer—Karli Tellep; and Board Members—Jessica George and Brittany Shelton.

Byesville Rotary’s next meeting will be 7:30 am, May 10, 2011, at the Stop Nine Senior Center at 60313 (GPS use 60299) Southgate Road, Byesville. Anyone interested in learning more about the Byesville Rotary can call Membership Chairs Marty Patchen, 740-685-3828, or Larry Miller, 740-439-2767.