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SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
A NEWSLETTER OF THE SENIOR VISITORS PROGRAM
_______________________________________________________
March/April 2015
“While wandering a deserted beach at dawn, stagnant in my work, I saw a
man in the distance bending and throwing as he walked the endless stretch
toward me. As he came near, I could see that he was throwing starfish,
abandoned on the sand by the tide, back into the sea. When he was close
enough I asked him why he was working so hard at this strange task. He
said that the sun would dry the starfish and they would die. I said to him
that I thought he was foolish. There were thousands of starfish on miles
and miles of beach. One man alone could never make a difference. He
smiled as he picked up the next starfish. Hurling it far into the sea he said,
"It makes a difference for this one." I abandoned my writing and spent the
morning throwing starfish.”
― Loren Eiseley (http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/56782.Loren_Eiseley)
April is National Volunteer Month!
We want to give a very special THANK YOU to our wonderful Senior
Visitors Program Volunteers. You are making a difference in the life
of your senior friend and in our community!
United Way Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Clinics
For all sites, the maximum 2014 income limit for a family is $60,000 (regardless of
family size). Taxpayers should be eligible for the EITC to receive help at several
Fredericksburg area sites. To get more information on eligibility and all area EITC
clinics, taxpayers can visit Rappahannock United Way online or call 540-373-0041. No
appointments needed. Taxpayers must bring social security cards, photo IDs, last year's
return, and all other necessary forms and receipts (W2s, 1099s, etc.), childcare
provider's ID number, amount of any other income or economic stimulus payments if
received, and bank documents showing routing and account numbers if requesting
direct deposit. In the case of inclement weather, sites may be closed.
Headquarters Library, CRRL
Begins 1/27/2015; ends 4/14/2015
1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg
Tuesdays 4:00 - 8:00
Porter Branch, CRRL
Begins 1/28/2015; ends 4/15/2015
2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford
Wednesdays 4:00 - 8:00
England Run Branch, CRRL
Begins 1/26/2015; ends 4/13/2015
806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg
Mondays 4:00 - 8:00
Salem Church Branch, CRRL
Begins 1/29/2015; ends 4/9/2015
2607 Salem Church Road, F’burg
Thursdays, 4:00 - 8:00
Memorial and Special Occasion Gifts allow you to honor or remember a loved one, a
friend, a relative or a special occasion. Your tax deductible gift will be used to provide
free, supportive services to older adults in our community that can help them remain in
their own homes. Please complete the following information:
This gift is given _______ to honor, OR _______ in memory of:
Name ___________________________________________
Send acknowledgement/tax deductible receipt to:
Name ___________________________________________
Street ___________________________________________
City _______________________ State ______ Zip _______
Please make checks payable to MHAF-Senior Visitors Program
Mail to: 2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
AARP Tax Aid Clinics
IRS-trained volunteers will be available to prepare simple tax returns beginning in
January. All returns will be filed electronically. Appointments may be made one week in
advance. Walk-ins will be accepted as space permits. Taxpayers must bring social
security cards, photo IDs, last year's return, and all other necessary forms and receipts
(W2, 1099, 1095A, etc.). In the case of inclement weather, sites may be closed.
England Run Branch, CRRL
Begins 1/24/2015; ends 4/11/2015
806 Lyons Boulevard, Fredericksburg
Phone: 540-899-1703
Appointment required. Some walk-in spaces available.
Mondays and Saturdays 9:00 - 2:00
Salem Church Branch, CRRL
Begins 2/4/2015; ends 4/10/2015
2607 Salem Church Road, Fredericksburg
Phone: 540-785-9267
Appointment required. Some walk-in spaces available.
Wednesdays and Fridays 10:00 - 2:00
Snow Branch, CRRL
Begins 2/7/2015; ends 4/11/2015
8740 Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania
Phone: 540-507-7565 (call for appointment during library hours beginning 1/28/2014)
Appointment required.
Saturdays 9:00 - 2:00
Fredericksburg Parks & Recreation
Dorothy Hart Community Center, 408 Canal St.
AARP volunteers will prepare simple tax returns for seniors and others who may need
help. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30-1:30, February 4 - April 10. First come, first
served. It is suggested that you arrive prior to noon. Taxpayers must bring social
security cards, government issued photo IDs, last year's return, and all other necessary
forms and receipts (W2, 1099, 1095A, etc.). Married: Both spouses must come to the
Community Center.
Local IRS Office
1320 Central Park Blvd.
Fredericksburg, VA, 22401
Phone: 540-899-9450
Director’s Corner
Spring is fast approaching and many exciting activities are upcoming for
the Senior Visitors Program. During the month of March our local
governments approve their annual budgets. We encourage our seniors
and volunteers to write to their Board of Supervisors or City Council. Let
them know about the benefits of the Senior Visitors Program and
encourage to them to continue to support us.
During the month of April, which is National Volunteer Month, we thank
our volunteers for all they do for our senior clients! It is such a privilege for
us to work with such caring and dedicated volunteers! We simply could not
do it without YOU!
Our 8th Annual Walk for Mental Wellness is also fast approaching! This is
one of our main fundraisers and I hope each of you can get involved in
some way! You can help us in several ways:
1. You can save the date! Form a team of friends (including your senior
client/volunteer), family co-workers, neighbors, church members, or
club members to walk with us and raise funds to support our
programs! May 2, 2015
2. You can put the walk on your calendar and plan to volunteer with us
that day!
3. You can put up a walk poster everywhere you go (church, shops,
gym, work) to spread the word about the walk! (Posters available
soon. Call our office if you would like some to put up!)
4. You can donate or find a donor for at least one basket of items
(coffee basket, garden basket, food basket, etc.) or donate a craft
item or one piece of artwork for our Silent Auction!
5. You can donate a gift certificate from a local business for a walker
prize or door prize.
6. You can donate the balloon arch for the start of the walk.
7. You can donate food for the walkers at the event.
Thanks for helping us spread the word and for all your support on May
2nd! I look forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Teresa Bowers
Free Events You and Your Volunteer May Enjoy:
Art Films 2015 – The Magic of Méliés "The Magic of Méliés: A Treasury
of Early Cinema, 1894-1913" Trent Nicholas of the Virginia Museum of Fine
Arts will discuss and show clips of fifteen fantastic films by the cinema's first
special effects wizard, Georges Méliés. More than just crucial historical
artifacts, these films reveal the foundation from which the styles and stories
of the contemporary cinema would later rise. Wednesday, March 11th
7:00pm to 8:30pm. 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
The Decline of Memory with Aging Is it forgetfulness or early dementia?
Join Dr. Wayland Marks for a PowerPoint presentation and discussion.
Presented with Comfort Keepers. Monday, March 23 rd 6:30 – 8:00 pm.
1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401.
Earth Day Festival at Old Mill Park.Enjoy dozens of environmental
exhibitors, live music, great food, birds of prey, hands-on activities, live
music, and so much more along the beautiful Rappahnnock River! Hike the
Heritage Trail to the park with a friend or family member, and learn what
you can do to reduce your impact on the planet while having great, FREE,
fun! April 18th 11:00 am – 4:00 pm. 2410 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg,
VA 22401.
The Ron Rosner Family YMCA is hosting their 8th Annual Silver Prom on
Saturday, May 2nd from 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm. This event is for our Senior
Community (50+) and will be free thanks to the wonderful support from
Heartfields Assisted Living at Fredericksburg and other amazing
organizations throughout our community. Light appetizers and
refreshments will be served. There will be lots of dancing, entertainment,
door prizes, a prom picture and much more. So come dressed in Sunday
best or better and enjoy this year’s theme – “A Night on Broadway.”
5700 Smith Station Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22407. (540) 735-9622.
Fun and Games
Find and circle all of the words that are hidden in the grid.
The remaining 34 letters spell a secret message.
BEER
BELFAST
BISHOP
CABBAGE
CELEBRATION
CELTIC
CROSS
CHRISTIAN
DANCING
DUBLIN
EVENTS
FEAST
DAY
FESTIVAL
GREEN
GUINNESS
HOLY DAY
IRELAND
IRISH
LEPRECHAUN
LIMERICK
MARCH
MISSIONARY
MUSIC
POTATOES
SEVENTEENTH
SHAMROCK
SNAKES
SODA BREAD
TRADITION
YEARLY
CLOVER
HERITAGE
CORK
HISTORY
CORNED BEEF HOLIDAY
PARADE
PATRON
SAINT
March/April 2015 Birthdays
Roberta M. 3/5
Jeanette M. 3/13
Rosalie A. 3/15
Patricia M. 3/17
Dottie T. 3/19
Maria R. 3/20
Donald B. 3/23
Mary K. 3/31
Patti S. 4/3
Evelyn W. 4/5
Mona F. 4/18
Clara G. 4/19
Fred C. 4/21
If we missed your birthday, please let us know at (540) 371-2704.
I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose
I would always greet it in the garden. – Ruth Stout
The hidden message is: SAINT PATRICK LIVED IN THE FIFTH CENTURY
The Senior Visitors Program is
a community service program
of Mental Health America of
Fredericksburg, a non-profit
organization dedicated to
serving you and your
community. Please write your
Board of Supervisors and let
them know how much this
program means to you!
Senior Spotlight
A Newsletter of the Senior Visitors Program
Senior Visitors Program
Mental Health America of Fredericksburg
2217 Princess Anne Street, Suite 104-1
Fredericksburg, Virginia 22401
mhafsv@mhafred.org
540-371-2704