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Bluebills & Senior Services; Older Americans Month
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Bluebills & Senior Services
On April 25th I attended a Senior Services breakfast where they celebrated their 2005 accomplishments. Being educated as an engineer I am easily impressed by statistics and they had a lot of them. I would just like to highlight a few of them to show a connection to our Bluebill out reach:
• Over 473,000 nutritious meals were delivered to 2,637 homebound seniors through the Wheels on Meals program.
• Over 293,000 meals were served to 6,556 seniors at Hot Lunch Program sites throughout Seattle and King County.
• Transportation to medical and other important appointments was provided to 4,376 individuals through the Transportation Program. Volunteers drove 608,490 miles.
• 8,133 volunteers worked with their staff to connect with 54,000 older adults, their family members and caregivers annually.
There were many more items of interest, but I highlighted these because this is where I know many of our Bluebill volunteers are contributing to this effort. Of the over 85,000 hours reported by the Bluebills in 2005 many of them are supporting agencies like the Senior Services. In fact in a video interviewing some volunteers in the field was one of Bluebill Tom Moberg, featured as he provided transportation for senior appointments in the area. Last year The Boeing Company stated there were 47,379 retirees in Washington State and many of these retirees are volunteering through their church, schools and community. We know how many Bluebills are volunteering, but have no idea of the total number of other Boeing retirees doing social & community services in Puget Sound area. One of my goals for the future is to get a better view of what the 47,379 retirees are doing in their post-retirement years.
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Older Americans Month
How many of you are aware of May being Older Americans Month? I was unaware of this until last week when I heard a comment on a local radio station. After doing a little research, I find that it has been the practice to recognize Americans reaching their 65th birthday since 1963. President John F. Kennedy was the first to designate May as Senior Citizens Month. Thanks to President Jimmy Carter's 1980 designation, what was once called Senior Citizens Month, is now called "Older Americans Month," and has become a tradition.
Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since JFK has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs and other such activities.
Some Past Older Americans Month Themes:
• 1978 - Older Americans and the Family
• 1984 - Health: Make it Last a Lifetime
• 1985 - Help Yourself to Independence
• 1986 - Plan on Living the Rest of Your Life
• 1992 - Community Action Begins with You: Help Older Americans Help Themselves
• 1994 - Aging: An Experience of a Lifetime
• 1995 - Aging: Generations of Experience
• 1996 - Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity
• 1997 - Caregiving: Compassion in Action
• 1998 - Living Longer, Growing Stronger in America
• 1999 - Honor the Past, Imagine the Future: Towards a Society for All Ages
• 2000 - In the New Century. . . . The Future is Aging
• 2001 - The Many Faces of Aging
• 2002 - America: "A Community for all Ages"
• 2003 - "What We Do Makes A Difference."
• 2004 - "Aging Well, Living Well"
• 2005 - Celebrate Long-term Living
The theme for 2006 is "Choices for Independence."
(See President G. W. Bush's proclamation for this year, below.)
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 28, 2006
Older Americans Month, 2006
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
Older Americans represent the finest qualities of our Nation. During Older Americans Month, we honor our older citizens, celebrate their many accomplishments, and learn from their experiences.
Across our country, older Americans are demonstrating personal strength and compassion and are redefining the experience of aging. They are leading active lives, serving in their communities, and reaching out to their fellow Americans. Through organizations like Senior Corps, they are mentoring children, helping victims of natural disasters, and caring for citizens with disabilities. Their good works are changing the lives of many individuals and contributing to the strength of America.
This year's theme, "Choices for Independence," reflects the importance of our citizens making retirement, lifestyle, and health choices that enhance their quality of life as they grow older. My Administration is committed to strengthening senior programs and ensuring the health and retirement security of older Americans. The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 provides for the biggest improvement in health care for our seniors in nearly 40 years. In addition, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit, Medicare Part D, is helping seniors receive the prescription drugs they need at reduced costs.
Our Nation is blessed by our seniors. These individuals teach us lessons of the past, set an example for younger generations, and demonstrate the generosity and love for which Americans are known. This month, I encourage all our citizens to spend time with America's seniors.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2006 as Older Americans Month. I appreciate our senior citizens for their achievements and contributions to our Nation. I also commend the Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations, service and health care providers, caregivers, and volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to our seniors. I urge all citizens to honor their elders and reaffirm our country's commitment to their well-being this month and throughout the year.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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If you are interested in more statistics and demographics about Older Americans go to Google search, or check www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/ archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/004210.html
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| Elsewhere in this site you can see:
Your 2006 Central Leadership Council is shown under the Chapters/Central Leadership Council.
Mighty Movers. A group from our Sno-King chapter has been helping people move for years. It's time to tell their unsung story.
Create Your Own Reality Show. Bob Lee's piece about getting involved in High School senior projects ("Culminating Exhibitions") as a panelist. He talks about the SnoKing schools, but this will be a statewide mandate by 2008.
Chapter meetings and information programs for the members.
Volunteer opportunities.
Bluebill Voyagers. Accounts by some Bluebill travelers of their adventures away from home.
Reference information sites for seniors.
We are always ready to publicize Bluebills. Please, if you come away from a volunteer assignment that leaves you with an unusually warm fuzzy feeling, think about sharing that experience with all of us. It's worth its weight in gold, recruitment-wise. It will also help us get recognition from Boeing executive offices. Alert your chapter chair, or email Nancy Wright (nancylwright@earthlink.net) or Mike Yanega (myanega@bowfinprintworks.com). And don't forget good pictures.
And finally, let me ask you to critique our efforts. Tell us what you want, what interests you and how you use the information we provide or could provide. The unique age of electronic communication offers us the ability to make rapid updates and changes
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