PAFC News & Updates

Thank You, Paula Stearns

PAFC recognizes Paula Stearns who has headed the Health and Wellness Priority Group for the past ten years since our organization’s inception.

After 4 decades as an RN in Denver, including years in direct patient care, health services research in home care, and director of the Colorado Nurses Association, Paula retired and moved to Fort Collins.

Her first introduction to PAFC was the Self-Directed Volunteer Team (SDVT) training provided by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging in Fall 2014. She then joined the Health and Wellness group and helped coordinate the AARP sponsored Walk Audit of Downtown Loveland that was orchestrated by the National Walk America organization and local participants included the mayor, local business owners, city staff and community members.

Paula’s volunteer service for PAFC includes serving as Secretary and Executive Committee member for six years in addition to Chairing Health and Wellness. We are especially grateful for Paula’s leadership coordinating projects for many initiatives:

Several large projects all with several partners – Larimer County Office on Aging (LCOA), CSU Extension, CSU departments of Human development and Family Studies-HDFS (gerontology and social work) CSU Center for Public Deliberation.

• Senior Access Points – with CSU Extension, CSU LCOA,CSU HDFS and a grant to support administrative assistance.

• Rural Outreach grant funded by a Next Fifty Initiative grant. This included many components, but Paula spearheaded coordination of meetings in Red Feather Lakes with at least six partner groups. While this project did very well, COVID intercepted and closed down many outreach initiatives.

• Social Isolation project funded by Larimer County Office on Aging through a federal CARES Act grant during COVID pandemic. This was supported by CSU CPD, CSU Occupational Therapy dept and others. Paula’s work helped connect nearly 50 area organizations through questionnaires and Zoom groups to develop a community action plan. Implementation of this action plan continued over several months and included various PAFC groups and programs.

• Virtual Volunteer Project – explored how older adults could support other isolated individuals through virtual volunteer activities as Covid decreased but social isolation remained a paramount concern.

While Paula is retiring as Health and Wellness Chair, she is committed to continuing support PAFC and plans to attend Health and Wellness as an active, knowledgeable and very experienced member of this group. Our organization is deeply appreciative of Paula’s many contributions and looks forward to her ongoing participation with PAFC.

Meals on Wheels Makes a Difference, by Michaele Bradley

From her roots as a high school cheerleader in New Jersey, to roles as a wife, mother and teacher in Loveland and Fort Collins, Jean Kenny is still active at the age of ninety-four. To continue to live on her own, Jean needs a helping hand, and Meals on Wheels Fort Collins (MOWFC) gives her the support she needs.

Jean is content and cheerful. She receives appetizing, nutritious, Meals on Wheels five days a week. Jean says, “Volunteers are so pleasant, and they all have a good sense of humor.” In addition to her cooked meals, she receives a “blizzard bag” once a year of non-perishable food to be used on those days when the volunteers cannot get out on the road. She says this extra food is “above and beyond.”

Jean has a son and two granddaughters who live in Fort Collins as well as a number of good friends who also help her when the need arises. The volunteer from MOW acts like an unofficial pair of eyes. Unless otherwise instructed, the volunteers call the office if they have not seen the client during the delivery.

Meals on Wheels has been in the Fort Collins community for 52 years. Currently they have 360 clients, and 300 volunteers and youth groups help deliver meals. Last year volunteers delivered 76,465 meals to older adults and people with disabilities. The nutrition staff at Poudre Valley Hospital prepares and cooks all of the meals.

I (Mike) have been a volunteer for a year with MOWFC and have thoroughly enjoyed my time. I have an assigned route, so I have gotten to know most of the people. The driving and delivery time of my route takes about an hour. MOWFC is very appreciative of their volunteer help. We get pleasant surprises at unexpected times: one cold morning we were surprised with breakfast burritos and hot coffee, another time an ice cream social cooled us all off on a hot summer day. MOWFC goes out of their way to honor their volunteers.

In addition, we are celebrated during volunteer week with events such as picnics or items such as community gift cards. MOWFC is a great place to volunteer. If you are interested in doing so, the web site is: mealsonwheelsfc.org

If you want to sign up for meals at MOWFC, use this link: Meals on Wheels Client Application

Michaele Bradley has lived in Fort Collins for 31 years. In addition to writing, Mike likes gardening, volunteering and helping her friends. Growing up in California and working in hospital and non-profit settings helped her to learn the value of volunteers.

The entire team at PAFC would like to extend our warmest thanks and appreciation to our 2024 Season of Giving donors! Your generous financial contributions helped us reach our fundraising goals for 2024! We are so grateful for your support, as it enables our organization to continue providing resources Larimer County residents greatly depend on!

Haven't had a chance to donate yet in 2024? There's still time to make your tax deductible donation and contribute to our mission of creating a Larimer County for ALL - where EVERYONE thrives! Click below to make your contribution today.

Thank you for your support, and we wish everyone a beautiful end to 2024, and an even better 2025!

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December 2024 News and Views