MOUNT VERNON — Knox County is one of the 74 Ohio counties that have a tax levy to help support older adults. For 2019, the .79-mill levy is expected to generate around $1.03 million.
On Tuesday, the county commissioners disbursed that $1.03 million to six local organizations that provide programming and meals to Knox County’s seniors. Distributions are made quarterly with the understanding that if the entire $1.03 million does not come in, the fourth-quarter distribution might be less than the previous three.
Following is a brief description of the six organizations providing senior services.
Centerburg Senior Services: $186,516
119 S. Preston St., Centerburg
740-625-5056
The top three priorities of Centerburg Senior Services are hot meals, transportation, and wellness programs. The group served 630 unduplicated seniors in 2018. New or expanded programs last year include health and fitness programs such as Zumba, development of a light housecleaning program, two out-of-town trips, and Coffee with a Cop. For more information click here.
Fredericktown Senior Activity Center: $48,470
117 Columbus Road, Fredericktown
740-694-4140
The clientele at the senior center increased by 20.3 percent in 2018. That number is expected to grow another 10 percent in 2019. The center is working on implementing a Silver Sneakers program and a tech literacy class. The center projects 2019 equipment needs to cost $2,600. Seven out-of-town tours are scheduled for the remainder of the year, one a month April through November. For more information click here.
Sanctuary Community Action: $164,648
304 Market St., Danville
740-599-7224
Sanctuary Community Action focuses on three programs for seniors: home-delivered meals, homemaker services, and lawn mowing services. In 2018, the homemaker program served 22 households and 29 seniors. The lawn mowing program served 85 households, up from 77 in 2017. In addition to its senior programs, the SAC offers space for local agencies to provide services. Agencies include the Knox County Health Department and the Veterans Service Office. In 2019, SAC would like to talk with Knox Area Transit about transportation for seniors. For more information click here.
Sew Special Network dba: That Place on Market: $12,838
405 S. Market St., Danville
740-599-7768
The volunteers at Sew Special Network donate handmade items that make life easier and more comfortable for seniors. Projects include hats for cancer patients, wheelchair totes, and lap quilts/fleece throws. Sew Special also participates in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) spring baby shower and the Hat and Tree project during the holidays. The organization has three goals for 2019: increase its volunteer base, add to the list of items made, including increasing the quantities of items made for hospice and senior stockings, and organizing its retail store for easier shopping. For more information visit its Facebook page.
The Station Break: $549,500
160 Howard St., Mount Vernon
740-397-2417
The cornerstone of The Station Break is its home-delivered and on-site meals program. Priorities No. 2 and No. 3 are transportation services and socialization. Serving 1,476 seniors in 2018, the center’s goal is to serve as a resource center for older adults. In addition to games and other activities, socialization programs include housekeeping services. One expense in 2019 is the purchase of new vehicles. The number of seniors participating in the meals and transportation program is also expected to increase. For more information click here.
Job & Family Services: $69,828
117 E. High St., Mount Vernon
740-397-7177
The Adult Protective Services division of JFS projects it will serve 65 seniors in Fiscal Year 2019-20. APS investigates reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation against older adults. JFS has entered into an $82,000 contract with the Ohio Area on Aging to assist with serving the Knox County APS. For more information click here.
