Daisy Thornton, manager of the Buffalo Center, prepares to deliver meals for seniors.

Cheryl Rust (center) presents checks for Putnam senior centers to Debby Easter (left) and Sally Halstead.

May 15, 2007

"There is never enough resources to do everything that needs to be done for our senior citizens," Cheryl Rust said today. "And the demand for services is always growing."

Funded through the Bureau of Senior Services in the West Virginia Department of Health & Human Resources, the state funding usually goes for "bricks and border" projects, says Putnam Aging Program Director Clinton "Bud" Beaver. "The budget is usually tight for day-to-day services," he said.

The program operates out of three centers in the county -- in Buffalo, Hometown and Hurricane.

The three centers organize trips and picnics. They provide computer internet access, exercise classes, and health screening.

But the most popular programs probably are those for general nutrition.

Beaver reports that nearly 4,500 meals were prepared and served to Putnam seniors in the month of April alone. "This is five days a week," says Beaver, "with special frozen meals provided as needed on weekends and holidays."

Over half of the meals are served through home delivery. For "congregate" meals served at the centers, transportation may be provided where eligible persons are unable to arrange their own transportation.

"Our vehicles log over 200 miles per day," says Beaver. "That's a 1,000 miles per week."

Putnam Aging Director Clinton "Bud" Beaver chats with Rotarian Cheryl Rust.

Cheryl Rust brought facts and figures to Putnam Rotary where she oversees community service projects as a past president of the club and member of the board of directors.

Today, checks for a total of $4,500 were presented to managers for the three Putnam County centers.

Much of the grant will go toward transportation costs -- for new tires, gasoline and vehicle maintenance.

A special concern is emergency communications: If medical assistance is needed or if one of the vans becomes stalled while transporting seniors, there is no way to call for help. So part of the grant will go for cellular phones to be carried on the vans.

Meals are usually delivered in disposable styrofoam containers. Some of the Rotary grant will pay for permanent carriers which keep the food warm and which can be used over and over again.

Accepting the grant for Putnam Aging were Sally Halstead, manager of the John Henson Center in Hurricane, and Debby Easter, manager of the Hometown Center.

Some of the funding at the Henson Center will go for replacement of kitchen equipment, Halstead told the group.

"We have a mandate to upgrade the sanitary facilities at Hometown," says Beaver. "We have $15,000 for the project, but bids came in at $23,000.

"Funding is always tight," he said.