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tunities both at the Senior Center and throughout
<br /> Report of the Town. Volunteers numbered in excess of 240 citizens.
<br /> Council on Aging They brought diverse skills, talents and abilities and
<br /> happily shared their energy and time with their neigh-
<br /> bors, friends and fellow seniors. Among the many
<br /> To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the ways they shared their gifts were Friendly Visiting,
<br /> Nutrition Site Assistance, Meals on Wheels,
<br /> Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: Transportation, Senior Dimension Mailing,
<br /> The Council on Aging is pleased to submit their Telefriend, Social Committee, Senior Orientation,
<br /> 2008 Annual Report. Senior Center Clerical Tasks, Crafts, Art Lessons,
<br /> Receptionists, School Volunteer, Mobile Library
<br /> The Council on Aging and the Mashpee Senior Services, Thrift Shop, SHINE Counseling, Exercise
<br /> Center are the organized commitment by the people of Programs, Weight Training, Senior Singers, Fuel
<br /> Mashpee to coordinate and to carry out health, wel- Assistance, Tax Preparation, Computer Training, etc.
<br /> fare,educational, social and recreational services and If you are looking to share your skills, talents, and
<br /> abilities come and visit the senior center where we
<br /> programs for those in the population who are 59 1/2+. offer these and other volunteer opportunities.
<br /> The Council on Aging may act as a direct provider, a
<br /> sponsor or co-sponsor, or the originating source of Additionally, the Council of Aging managed the
<br /> information and referral.
<br /> Senior Property Tax Abatement Program. The pro-
<br /> The Council on Aging met monthly on the sec- gram matches town government needs with senior
<br /> and Wednesday of the month at 8:30 AM, usually at skills, talents and abilities in a program that allows
<br /> seniors to receive a tax abatement of$600.00 for their
<br /> the Senior Center. The meeting was and is open to the '
<br /> public and from time to time, residents from the Town efforts. Thirty-three Mashpee seniors participated in
<br /> the town's program volunteering in a variety of town
<br /> attended and participated in the meeting.
<br /> departments giving their time and considerable skills
<br /> Election of officers was held at the annual meet- toward improving town government operations. We
<br /> ing which occurred in July. At that meeting John plan to continue the program in 2009 and hope to
<br /> Dorsey was elected Chairman, Eugenia Noussee was expand the program in coming years.
<br /> re-elected Vice-Chairman, Virginia McIntyre was
<br /> elected Treasurer and Mari-Jo Gorney was re-elected In May, 2008, the Council on Aging recognized
<br /> as Secretary. During the year, Ms. Rose Shenker several volunteers for outstanding service at the
<br /> resigned her position on the Council after serving Volunteer Luncheon. Over one hundred forty seniors
<br /> admirably for several ears. attended. The "Most Valuable Volunteer Award "
<br /> y
<br /> went to Peter Squeglia for his many hours of diverse
<br /> Town Clerk records indicated that there were volunteering during the past five years including act-
<br /> 1,536 seniors in Mashpee in December of 1990 and ing as a SHINE Counselor and medical appointment
<br /> 3,050 seniors as of the Year 2000 census. A check driver, and the "Rookie of the Year" went to Barbara
<br /> with the Town Clerk in December of 2008 showed a Quist for her contributions to the Friendly Visitor pro-
<br /> tally of 4,200 seniors, an increase of thirty-eight per- gram. Frank Kelly was the first recipient of the new
<br /> cent since the 2000 census. The senior population of "Council on Aging Board Member of the Year" award
<br /> for his contributions through and to the COA Board.
<br /> Mashpee continues to grow at a rapid rate with
<br /> increased growth predicted as the "Boomers" have In our annual report to the Executive Office of Elder
<br /> begun to retire accordin to Barnstable Count esti- Affairs we estimated overall volunteer participation in
<br /> g
<br /> y
<br /> mates excess of 14,000 hours throughout the senior center
<br /> system and the value of volunteer contributions was
<br /> In 2008 the Friends of Mashpee Council on valued at a figure in excess of$215,000.00
<br /> Aging c
<br /> ontinued their support both o
<br /> f the Council on
<br /> Aging and of the Senior Center. The Friends of the Two major accomplishments during the year
<br /> Council on Aging continued their valuable community were the development and presentation of introduc-
<br /> toryservice by providing clothing and other necessities to computer courses conducted by talented Mashpee
<br /> seniors for Mashpee seniors and the presentation of
<br /> many of our townspeople through the operation of �.
<br /> their Thrift Shop located opposite the Senior Center. Academy of Lifelong Learning courses in cooperation
<br /> with Cape Cod Community College at our Senior
<br /> The Council on Aging through the Mashpee Center. These additions added to the vibrancy and
<br /> Senior Center promoted a number of volunteer oppor- knowledge of our senior community. We hope to con-
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