Festival of Trees supports local senior center
Two themed trees that are displayed at the Shoshone County Courthouse for the Festival of Trees.
Photo by MOLLY ROBERTS
OSBURN — “How can I help?” was the most common question posed by readers after the Shoshone News-Press reported on area seniors facing hot meal reductions.
The Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program recently received some unfortunate news that due to funding through the state, the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) — under the guidance of the Idaho Commission on Aging — reduced many local seniors to receiving hot meals five times during the week, instead of the previous seven.
“Some of our seniors have been cut back from receiving hot meals seven days of the week,” said Darrell Lemieux, Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program director. “It’s just a matter of funding from Area Agency on Aging. What that means is that some of our seniors won’t be getting a hot meal, and sometimes that hot meal is the only hot meal they get for the day.”
Lemieux went on to explain that those services are crucial as many of the people they serve are shut-ins and aren’t able to get out of the house a lot or have a lot of social interaction.
The program currently serves about 77 seniors, but that can change daily. Lemieux wants to ensure the program is sustainable for the colder months and throughout the year.
The holiday season has ample opportunities for residents to support this program, including the Festival of Trees and Tree of Sharing.
The Festival of Trees is celebrated at the Osburn Senior Center and the Shoshone County Courthouse.
If you would like to make a tree or wreath to be displayed, the Silver Valley Senior Center accepts them until Dec. 12. The decorated holiday decor can be brought in by individuals, organizations, or businesses with tickets sold for $2 and the fund’s going directly to the senior food fund.
The different departments of the Shoshone County Courthouse also get involved and get a little competitive decorating themed trees that are displayed on the main floor and can be bid on in a silent auction format. The trees will be displayed at the courthouse to be bid on until Dec. 19.
If decorated trees or wreaths isn’t your style, the Tree of Sharing is another way that local individuals or businesses can support the senior community.
“The Tree of Sharing has been really great,” Lemieux said. “Last year was our first year and everyone got a blanket — I had socks and some goodies. Really, one of the biggest things is that they can be warm. That’s a comfort they are looking for each time.”
The tag will have the name of a senior who receives services from Meals on Wheels, which allows providing a gift of a basic, yet essential need of warm socks and blankets. If you want to donate warm socks or a blanket without picking up a ticket, you can donate it directly to the Senior Center by Dec. 12.
If you would like to make a monetary donation, all donations to the Silver Valley Meals on Wheels program are tax-deductible and can be made to the Silver Valley Senior Center in person at 726 E. Mullan Ave., Osburn, or by mail by sending your donation to P.O. Box 887, Osburn, ID 83849.
For more information on any of the outreach opportunities, contact the Silver Valley Senior Center at 208-752-1194.