The holidays always seem to focus on children, with talk of twinkling lights, Santa Claus and flying reindeer. However, here at Maertin Heating and Cooling, we know that our area seniors need our attention at the holidays as well. For seniors, especially as the weather chills and snow arrives, it can be very difficult to make a healthy meal, get to the pharmacy, repair a drafty window or shovel the sidewalk.
The senior citizen who can’t seal a drafty window may not seem in dire need. But when a drafty window taxes an older furnace to the point of failure, that need becomes immediate and severe. Taking care of small chores helps keep bigger problems at bay.
How can you help? Thankfully, Will County and the Lincolnway area has public-service organizations that serve as clearinghouses for a range of assistance and resources, some specifically for seniors. This makes it easy to connect someone in need with people who can help, like you!
Senior Services of Will County helps seniors coordinate in-home care, home repair, transportation, and even tax preparation. For low-income seniors, Senior Services can assist in identifying and applying to state-based aid programs for energy bill assistance and other fee and tax relief benefits. Senior Services offers a full range of educational, fitness, and health programs to provide senior citizens with the information and community they need to live safe, healthy, and independent lives. Your generous donation of time or funds can help them accomplish these goals.
Our local Community Nutrition Network and Senior Services Association (CNNSSA) runs Meals on Wheels here in Will County, providing meals to senior citizens and to persons with disabilities. Having a healthy and nutritious meal regularly can change someone’s life, especially when they have trouble getting to the store to shop or working safely in the kitchen. While the CNNSSA serves a variety of our neighbors who benefit from nutritional assistance, they largely serve senior citizens and couple their Meals on Wheels program with other senior-relevant resources and events. You can brighten a senior’s day by delivering meals during a quick visit – and you’ll love how it warms your own heart.
And as for that drafty window? For some members of our community, a simple home repair may exceed their ability or budget. The Will County Center for Community Concerns helps people get the home repairs they need. WCCCC doesn’t just help seniors. They also help with a specific set of challenges: poverty and housing. The WCCC has a variety of home rehabilitation programs, as funding allows, to maintain safe and affordable housing. Safe housing, in good repair, benefits every family on the block, in the neighborhood and in our greater community. If you’d like to donate your time, equipment or funds to help repair homes, WCCCC is looking for you.
Our nation’s veterans may also need assistance. The Veterans Assistance Commission of Will County identifies and vets Veteran-specific resources and services, and then assists Veterans in making use of those services. In addition to helping Veterans access their various benefits, the VACWC also connects Veterans with job-seeking help, financial planning, mental health resources, and transportation. When you are hoping to work with or assist our veterans, the VACCWC is the place to go.
Not seeing just what you’re looking for? There are many other organizations that can benefit our neighbors in need, no matter what their circumstances. You can help disabled children and adults access the fun, success and friendship by supporting Lincolnway Special Recreation Association. You can support women and children fleeing abusive relationships by donating your time or funds to Crisis Center for South Suburbia. You can also donate non-perishable food or your time to the Frankfort Township Food Pantry.
Whatever – or whomever – you’d like to help, the Lincolnway area or the larger surrounding Chicago Southland has a place for you. The feeling you get when you donate your time or your money is the best holiday gift you can give yourself!