Care Fair slated to help elderly in south county

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

August 07, 2008 02:35 am

— WINDSOR TOWNSHIP — Sandy Chapman and her sister Pat Fozo have teamed up to put on a Care Fair to acquaint elderly persons in southern Ashtabula County with available programs and services.
The fair is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 20 at Windsor Community Center gymnasium, says Chapman. The center is located in the former Windsor Elementary School, located on Route 322, just west of Route 534 and next to Windsor fire station.
“I was trying to assist an elderly relative who needed assistance. In doing this, it opened a lot of doors for me. My sister and I contacted Community Action Agency (CAA) in Ashtabula … and got good response from them to come to the Care Fair,” she said.
Chapman has been a volunteer with Hartsgrove Volunteer Fire Department for more than 25 years. She is working on an associate’s degree in emergency management administration at Lakeland Community College.
“I can see the need as a caregiver for my own older relatives, that many people in this southwest corner of the county are not aware of services out there. My sister, who has just moved here from Dayton, and I started talking on what we could do to help our older residents,” Chapman said.
Out of their brainstorming came the Care Fair project. Most of the agencies offering all types of senior citizen programs and aid are located in northern Ashtabula County, Chapman said.
The two women began contacting not only CAA, but other agencies within the county working with senior citizens. Country Neighbor Program Inc. in Orwell will have a table at the fair, along with Angel Food Ministries, Ashtabula County Emergency Management and the Windsor Fire Department.
Chapman also tapped County Treasurer Robert Harvey to send a representative to provide information on tax-bill payment plans. Other service agencies or organizations are welcome to sign up for a table at the fair.
Information will focus on food supplies, medical needs, counseling, transportation and other issues affecting independence for a growing number of senior citizens. For more information, contact Chapman (440 474-4425) or Fozo (440 272-5102).
“We want to get as many seniors from our area to come and meet with the providers. Community Action will anchor this event with information on weatherization, emergency home repairs, HEAP (Home Energy Assistance Program) and emergency fuel and heating programs,” Chapman said.