Wednesday, November 7, 2001

Project Love support needed

Volunteers with Fayette Senior Service's Meals-on-Wheels program deliver hot lunches five days a week to 125 seniors in the county. For many who receive the meals, the short interaction with the person delivering the meal is the highlight of their day.

Volunteers from civic groups, businesses, churches and other community members sign up for a route one day a week and typically deliver to 8 or 9 individuals. Currently, there is a waiting list for the program and more volunteers are needed.

Additionally, for the past seven years Fayette Senior Services through the Meals On Wheels program has delivered special Holiday meal packs to those on the regular route. During the holidays, the nonprofit agency is not required to provide meals, and thus normal funds are not allocated for meals during the weeks of Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's.

To compensate, the staff and volunteers at Fayette Senior Services raise funds to cover the cost of two-day and five-day frozen meal packs and they deliver them prior to the holiday. Many local seniors are dependent upon the meals they receive from the agency, thus these special frozen meals during the "giving season" are extremely important.

"Project Love," as it is called, asks members of the community to sponsor frozen two and five-day packs. Two-day packs are $10 and five-day packs are $25.

To make the Christmas and New Year meals even more special, Fayette Senior Services also puts together "goody bags," which include items such as lotion, powder, small flashlights, socks, hankies, stamps, non-skid slippers, night lights, tissues, gloves, nail clippers, batteries, note cards and combs. Items should be unwrapped to allow volunteers to match the item with the need of the senior.

In addition to volunteering for a Meals on Wheels route, Fayette Senior Services has a number of available volunteer opportunities. Friendly visitors are matched with homebound seniors and agree to visit in the home with them at least once a week. Phone a Friend volunteers agree to contact a homebound seniors at least once a week.

For those who enjoy interaction with groups, volunteers are needed to assist with crafts, games, activities and lunch at the Friendship Center. Call 770-461-0813 for further information regarding volunteer opportunities.

Those interested in donating to Project Love can mail a donation to Project Love, Fayette Senior Services Inc., 390 Lee Street, Fayetteville, GA 30214-2056 or a donation can be dropped off between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

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