Easthampton Neighbors Inc. celebrates first anniversary

Sept. 23, 2020 | Angelica J. Core
angelica@thereminder.com

Volunteers deliver groceries to a resident.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo

EASTHAMPTON – Easthampton Neighbors Inc. recently celebrated their first anniversary.

The nonprofit organization provides volunteer support services and programs to assist Easthampton residents age 55 plus to sustain independent living at home. Residents must be able to function on their own but need certain help around the house.

“When I first learned about the Village Movement, I began to think about Easthampton becoming a village. Creating a village, where ‘neighbors help neighbors,’ seemed like a perfect fit for Easthampton,” said President Stephanie Kelly in their annual report.

According to their annual report, the Easthampton Neighbors initiative started in January of last year when Kelly met with Easthampton Council on Aging and Enrichment Director Brendan Rogers to talk about the problem of meeting the needs of older residents who lack services to “age in place.”

The coronavirus pandemic did not stop the help from volunteers. Easthampton Neighbors Inc. and the Council on Aging have delivered groceries, masks, and care baskets during this unpredictable time.

They offer services like grocery shopping for a resident and lawn care. Kelly said they find that younger volunteers love to do lawn care kind of work with their friends. Before the pandemic, volunteers were able to provide in-home services such as changing smoke and CO detectors, move, unclutter household items, and flip mattresses.

The organization is all volunteer work and the residents do not have to pay to receive the services. When they sign up for the services, the organization asks them what they need and then they match them up with the best volunteer.

She said as the coronavirus changes, they will offer other services. Kelly said they are looking into protecting the cars so they can drive seniors around to doctor appointments again because she finds that many seniors are neglecting their appointments.

With many elderly people being isolated due to the virus, Kelly shared that they had their first social visit.

The daughter of an 82-year-old with beginning stages of dementia called Easthampton Neighbors Inc. asking if her mother could have a social visit because she is sad from social isolation. A retired physician assistant who is now a volunteer for the organization sat outside with her on her front lawn. Kelly said they wore masks and social distanced. Both of them are Polish and they spent the time talking about their foods. The volunteer member plans on going back once a week.

People of all ages are able to apply for volunteer work on the nonprofit’s website, www.easthamptonneighbors.org. Any resident 55 and older who wishes to receive help can apply online or call their office and someone will sign them up over the phone for free at 225-1338.

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