In The News
September 10, 2008
Comments to: info@firstlink.org
FIRSTLINK HONORS CENTRAL OHIO FOSTER GRANDPARENTS VOLUNTEERS, Including 90-year-old volunteer
Seniors Volunteer More Than 71,000 Hours and Mentor More Than 800 Children
COLUMBUS, Ohio – FIRSTLINK honored 81 seniors participating in the Foster Grandparent Program at a luncheon Wednesday themed "Share Today. Shape Tomorrow," including FIRSTLINK's oldest volunteer, 90-year-old Mildred Mandley.
The Central Ohio Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) celebrated its first full year of service under the sponsorship of FIRSTLINK, Inc. at the luncheon. Previously sponsored by the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (MRDD), the program honored FGP "grandparents" whose volunteer service has resulted in more than 71,000 hours given to more than 840 children as part of the Foster Grandparent Program serving Franklin, Richland, Clinton and Union counties.
FIRSTLINK's Foster Grandparents nurture infants, tutor elementary children in literacy, math and other skill building activities. Among other activities, they review schoolwork serve as role models and reinforce values. In Head Start programs they help children become kindergarten ready and in MRDD agencies, Foster Grandparents provide individualize care for children with physical disabilities and severe illnesses. Not only does the program offer services to the children, it also enables seniors to remain physically fit and mentally active.
"Foster grandparents, have been a mentor, tutor, friend, listener and a shoulder to lean on for these at-risk children. They have touched their lives in ways that cannot be expressed in words and have been a bridge to society for them. Their timeless efforts are truly an example that others should follow in order to shape our community," said Marilee Chinnici-Zuercher, president/CEO of FIRSTLINK.
The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) began in 1965 and is a part of Senior Corps, a network of national and community service programs that is administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Nationally, approximately 30,000 Foster Grandparents meet the needs of more than 260,000 young people each year. President Johnson established this program as a "war on poverty" to assist low income seniors on fixed incomes. The Foster Grandparent Program is the oldest program in the National Community Service Corps, authorized by the Title II of the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973.
Representative Tracy Maxwell Heard (D-26) and Jerry Revish and Chuck White of WBNS-10TV presented the award for Outstanding Foster Grandparent of the Year to 90-year-old Mildred Mandley of Richland County.
90-year-old Mandley has volunteered in the Foster Grandparent Program for the past 13 years was recognized as FGP's Outstanding Grandparent of the Year. Mandley volunteers eight hours a day, five days a week at Richland Newhope Industries operated by Richland County Board of Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities (MR/DD). She is the oldest volunteer in FGP overseen by FIRSTLINK.
Mandley retired from the Ontario school district where she worked in the cafeteria for 20 years at Ontario Middle School. She didn't start volunteering until 1995, shortly her husband passed away. She volunteers in Newhope's Personal and Social Services Department which helps individuals focus on daily living skills, sensory stimulation and socialization skills.
"When I enter a room at Richland Newhope Industries, I get lots of smiles," she said. "That's what I am there for - to put some joy into their life."
