GUEST SPEAKER … Donna Sprow, the executive director of the Williams County Department of Aging. Sprow stated that the big goal for the organization is to enable seniors aged 60 and over to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. One big way that that can be done is to deliver hot meals on weekdays to senior homes. There are also plenty of activities available to seniors. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
The Williams County Mayor’s Association meeting from February 15 began with roll call. Mayors present at the meeting were Carrie Schlade, Bryan; Duane Thiel, Edon; Pam Clark, Holiday City; Ed Kidston, Pioneer and Don Leu, West Unity.
Williams County Commissioners also in attendance were Lew Hilkert and Terry Rummel.
In the first order of business, the mayors approved the minutes from the previous January 18 meeting. The mayors then approved the financial report.
The balance as of February 15, the balance was $2,855.13. The estimated end of year balance is $2,135.13.
Guest speaker Donna Sprow, the executive director for the Department of Aging, then spoke. Sprow stated that the goal for the Department of Aging is to keep people over the age of 60 in their own homes for as long as possible.
Sprow said that Williams County is rather unique in that there are seven senior centers in the county, one in each of the seven school districts.
To start with, the county has what are called Hot Shot Trucks, which deliver approximately 400 meals to disabled senior homes throughout the county, on weekdays.
There are seven routes that the trucks take. When delivering, there is also a wellness check, to make sure household members are okay.
There are also meals that take place at the senior centers, with the centers at Bryan and Montpelier, the largest kitchens that provide meals.
During the pandemic, meals at the senior centers were closed, but the centers are now available again. While all meals are free, there is a suggested donation of three dollars or more.
Seniors can also purchase frozen meals ahead of time, either at the centers, or at home.
Statistically, 55.5% of seniors rely on home meals and 72% have an income that is less than $20,000. This past year, there were 94,000 hot meals delivered and 33,000 meals served at the senior centers.
Besides available meals, there are also plenty of things that the senior centers have available for seniors. On the health and wellness side, last year there were 7,000 medical transportations.
Seniors can be transported to places in Defiance, Ft. Wayne, and Toledo, though they can only take one of those trips per day.
There is heat assistance available, audiologists available and there is a licensed social worker available.
There are also a lot of special events available. There are dining out events, a weekly evening of fun, a night at theatre on the square, a Mud Hens Night, a big Thanksgiving meal, a Christmas gathering, craft making programs, tours for Christmas lights and men’s groups meetings at Bryan and Montpelier.
“Just watching their smiles (is a big boost) for the employees,” Sprow said. “We’re here to serve and I think the employees don’t think of this as a job. They consider it a calling.”
At the conclusion of Sprow’s talk, the mayors voted to adjourn the meeting. The mayors’ next meeting will take place on March 15.
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com