PITTSBORO — The odds and numbers were not in the favor of Council on Aging staff last week at Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center.
As the agency gathered to honor the backbone of its daily operations at its annual volunteer appreciation luncheon, one fact was quickly apparent. There were a handful of staff members — and an army of volunteers that easily eclipsed the century mark.
“You look around this room, and you can see there’s more (volunteers) than there is of (staff),” Volunteer Coordinator Linda Saum said. “So don’t think of any kind of, what do you call it, what do you call it when you take over something?”
Predictably, the assistance came from a volunteer.
“Mutiny!” the shout came.
“That’s it!” Saum said. “Don’t think of a mutiny or anything, OK?”
Indeed, there was no need to worry. With the atmosphere that of a carnival setting which included games and carnival food, Saum assured the Council’s volunteers that when they arrived to contribute their time and talents to Chatham County’s older adults, they didn’t spend time “clowning around.”
“You matter,” Saum said. “You make a difference. Your great generosity has had a profound and lasting impact on Chatham County seniors. Your willingness to share your time and talent by volunteering with the Council on Aging says a lot about each of you as human beings. Your willingness to give selflessly to help others speaks to your strength and the quality of your character.”
COA volunteers touch every aspect of agency operations, from Meals on Wheels delivery, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and providing a steady set of hands as part of its Minor Home Repair program.
Volunteer drivers in the Council’s Meals on Wheels program serve as the proverbial “eyes and ears” for staff in the field, observing if a homebound client is feeling unwell or is experiencing any issues that warrant further follow-up. Meals are delivered to an average of 146 clients each day.
“You, the drivers, keep the Council updated on the well-being of the seniors and keep me on track with direction corrections,” Saum said.
For those who are able to travel to either the Eastern Chatham Senior Center in Pittsboro or the Western Chatham Senior Center in Siler City, a noon meal is served daily at each site. Volunteers are essential in the preparation and service of these meals, enabling an average of 241 seniors to receive more than 9,000 meals.
“Words cannot adequately express the gratitude that I, the board of directors and the staff of the Council on Aging wish to convey,” Saum said.
The Minor Home Repair program, which addresses such home safety projects as railings, shower grab bars, faucet repair, has been responsible for 21 total projects in 2023.
In the SHIIP (Senior Health Insurance Information Program), Medicare counseling was provided to an average of 80 seniors, while the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program assisted a record 665 families in the recently concluded tax year. As a result of this volunteer work, a total of $966,872 in refunds were identified and returned to clients in this free program for those that qualify.
Chatham County Senior Games, which runs April 29 through May 11, will host a record 313 participants in 2023.
The volunteer touch also extends to the Council’s activities and wellness piece, including woodworking and the popular Open Art Studio.
“The areas you help in are very widespread, including but not limited to front-desk coverage, folding and stuffing envelopes, newsletter folding, gardening, painting, goody bag stuffing, staffing events, putting up and taking down tables and decorations, phone calls, assembling packets and mailing birthday cards, which all lead to brightening seniors lives,” Saum said.