Page 8 - Martin Down Bulletin - September '24

Page 8, Martin Downs

Club news

‘Voyage To America’ With The Recent winners have used their monetary awards at Annette Lopez, who oversees the program for the Council
on Aging Martin, described the socialization that comes
local schools such as IRSC and Keiser University to pursue
Martin County Genealogical degrees and careers in nursing, digital media, health care with the meals as a lifeline. “For many of those we serve,
Society management, and social work, among other fields. this is the only hot meal they’ll have in a day and the only
Eligible applicants can submit their application between
time they get to meet with others, share a laugh, and take
August 15 – November 15. part in group activities. The program feeds their spirits as
Many of our European ancestors sailed to America during Ultimately, a Live Your Dream Awards finalist has the well as their bodies.”
the 19th and 20th centuries, leaving their countries of origin potential to receive up to $16,000 to help offset tuition costs, The program has been so successful at the Log Cabin
for the promise of a new life across the ocean. At the Martin purchase books, get transportation, or find reliable childcare Senior Center in Jensen Beach, the 10th Street Community
County Genealogical Society’s (MCGS) October meeting, so she can worry less about how to pay her bills and focus Center in Stuart and Indiantown Big Mound Park in
professional genealogist Katherine R. Willson will discuss the on reaching her dreams. Indiantown that Council on Aging Martin has expanded it
full range of these journeys For more information or to apply for a Live Your Dream to the Hobe Sound First Baptist Church on Church Street
including preparations made Award online, visit www.soroptimistofstuart.org. in Hobe Sound. The Hobe Sound meal site is made possible
prior to emigrating, the major Photo provided by Soroptimist of Stuart through the philanthropic support of the Hobe Sound
European departure ports and Community Chest and other donors, and the Hobe Sound
American arrival ports, life First Baptist Church generously donates the space.
aboard the ships and, finally, Seniors can sign up through the Council on Aging
the process of being admitted website, by calling (772) 223-7800, or coming in person to
into the United States. Willson a Senior Dining Center site. There is a modest fee for the
will present via Zoom. meals, but community donations underwrite the costs for
A genealogy educator for seniors unable to pay.
more than 25 years, Katherine In addition to the Senior Dining Program, Council on
Willson lectures at regional Aging Martin also provides Meals on Wheels programs to
and national genealogy events Katherine R. Willson more than 500 vulnerable seniors each weekday throughout
and is a full-time researcher for Martin County. The Kane Cuisine is available for those who
private clients. She is founder and past president of the Virtual are able to pay a fee for their meals but appreciate having
Genealogical Association, past president of the Michigan a hot meal delivered to their home.
Genealogical Council and past board member of the Association Find out about this and all of the programs of the Council
of Professional Genealogists. Willson also has coordinated and on Aging of Martin County at www.coamartin.org. For more
taught courses for the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy. information about the Council on Aging of Martin County,
Free and open to the public, the meeting will be at the Blake visit www.coamartin.org.
Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road in Stuart, from 1 to 3 p.m.,
Friday, Oct. 18. The meeting begins with social time followed 2024 award winners
by a short business meeting; the presentation is at 2 p.m. If
you can’t attend the meeting in person, it will be available on Council On Aging Martin
Zoom. For registration details, go to mcgsfl.org/events.
The Martin County Genealogical Society offers a variety Expands Senior Dining
of services at the Genealogy Room in the Blake Library
including an extensive research library, access to several Program In Hobe Sound
genealogy websites and assistance from MCGS volunteers.
For more information about membership, activities and Clients of the Council on Aging Martin’s Senior Dining
services go to mcgsfl.org. Program call it “the perfect antidote to loneliness.” The
program provides free or low-cost meals to seniors every
Time To Apply For Live Your weekday at sites in Jensen Beach, Indiantown, Stuart and
now Hobe Sound.
Dream Awards “We know that good nutrition is essential for aging well,”
said Council on Aging Martin President and CEO Karen
By Jackie Holfelder Ripper. “In addition to the nutritional value of the food itself,
Since 1972, Soroptimist International’s Live Your Dream though, the opportunity to socialize with others over a meal Chefs Alex Molinari and Chris Baker prepare more than 500
Awards program has been helping women who are working to is priceless.” meals a day at the Council on Aging Martin’s commercial
better their lives through additional schooling and skills training. The Council on Aging Meals on Wheels staff prepares the kitchen at the Kane Center. The meals are delivered by
The financial support they receive often makes the meals at its commercial kitchen housed at the Kane Center volunteers to seniors throughout Martin County.
difference in allowing them to continue with the education on Salerno Road. Drivers then deliver the meals to each site,
that is so precious to them. where anywhere from 12 to 30 diners may be waiting.
This spring, Soroptimist International of Stuart (SIS) was
able to present three women with 2024 awards at their Awards
Dinner in May.
On August 15, the application portal for the 2024 Live
Your Dream Awards opened and the enrollment process –
which is completely online – couldn’t be simpler.
The parameters for the Live Your Dream Award specify
that the recipient must be a primary breadwinner for themself
and their dependents, be attending an undergraduate degree
program or a vocational skills training program, and have a
financial need.