LSS Senior Companion Program receives $10,000 grant from INSPIRITUS
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, also serving North Dakota, was awarded $10,000 by the INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation as part of its Twice Blessed fundraising campaign. The funds will be used by Lutheran Social Service to continue supporting older adults in the community through the Senior Companion service.
This service provides meaningful opportunities for older adult volunteers, age 55 years and older, by matching them with other older adults in their community who share their interests and need person-to-person support to remain healthy and independent. Senior Companion volunteers visit older adults weekly to offer friendship and encouragement, enjoy shared hobbies and interests, and provide transportation for errands, grocery shopping and appointments.
“We are thrilled to receive this funding,” said Becky Telin, Senior Companion services program director for Lutheran Social Service. “Senior Companion volunteers positively impact the lives of the older adults they serve. This funding helps make it possible for our volunteers to continue to provide valuable one-to-one transportation assistance. We greatly appreciate INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation’s recognition and support of this important work.”
Transportation assistance is especially appreciated by older adults who benefit from assistance getting in and out of vehicles and having someone accompany them to their destination — and beyond — as needed. This hands-on, individualized approach to transportation alleviates stress and anxiety that older adults may experience with group transportation services, which typically provide curb-to-curb or door-to-door assistance.Funding from the INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation will go toward mileage/transportation reimbursement for volunteers.
The Twice Blessed campaign included organizations that applied for project grants to impact the mental, physical, spiritual or emotional well-being of people in the counties of Bottineau, Burke, McHenry, McLean, Mountrail, Pierce, Renville, Rolette, Sheridan, Ward and Wells. INSPIRITUS Community Health Foundation matched eligible donor gifts to participating organizations. To learn more about Senior Companion services or to become a volunteer, call Lutheran Social Service at 701.389.2293, email [email protected], complete their short interest form, or visit lssmn.org/volunteer/seniorcompanion.