Community Corner

Services for the Elderly Honors Volunteers

About 100 volunteers who meet the needs of Farmington's seniors recognized for their work Tuesday.

Each day in Farmington hundreds of seniors are home alone, with no license, no car and no way to get to the grocery store, a medical appointment or just to see a friendly face. But thanks to volunteers working under the auspices of Services for the Elderly, their needs are met. Meals are delivered, transportation provided and friendships formed.

Those volunteers, mostly retired Farmington citizens, were celebrated Tuesday at the ’s Volunteer Luncheon, hosted by . The services they offer to Farmington’s seniors are varied.

Some, like Carol Bennett, are on the phone, coordinating rides and making sure everyone gets where they need to go.

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Others, like George Reider deliver Meals on Wheels to residents.

“It’s a rewarding thing,” he said. “Nancy Nickerson made the point that it’s a brief encounter but it’s companionship.”

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Those who drive seniors to medical appointments spend a little more time with them and sometimes get to hear the secrets of long lives.

“I enjoy it a lot. I’ve met a lot of nice people along the way,” said Carol Tribou, who also helps coordinate rides. “It’s a lot of fun and I get to talk to different people.”

Jean Festa, who is on the nonprofit’s board of directors, drives to medical appointments and leads a low-visions support group offered by the town. For her, involvement in Services for the Elderly has allowed her to offer some comfort and to use the skills of her profession now that she’s retired.

“It makes me use my brain. I’m still sharing the skills I have with a group I enjoy being with. And I enjoy learning what they have to share,” Festa said.

Still others participate in the Friendly Visitors program, spending time with isolated seniors. The Friendly Shopper program volunteers help seniors get groceries, either by taking them to the store or by going for them.

Volunteers in the newest program, “It’s Good to Get Out,” accompany seniors to fun locations like Gillette Castle, the Mark Twain House and the Pez factory. The group of women tours two sites a month and ends each visit with ice cream. The program was started by the nonprofit’s new vice president, Marcie Shepard.

"It serves 18 women - the youngest is 65 and oldest is 100," Shepard explained. "These ladies are basically homebound and they're isolated. The only time they get out is for medical appointments so we take them to the movies, somewhere fun and we always end getting ice cream."

The services are not only necessary, Nancy Nickerson, the program’s president said, but also brighten many people's lives.

“These visits and the contact that you make are sometimes the only social interaction they have. Your visits are much appreciated,” Nickerson said. “We want to thank you for all you do for the town of Farmington.”

Director Nancy Walker thanked all the volunteers and explained the history of Services for the Elderly, noting its co-founder, Hope Emery, had passed away in December 2011 after volunteering for 47 years.

To learn about getting involved with Services for the Elderly, visit the website. Donations of time, medical supplies and funding are needed. Reach Nancy Walker in the program's office at the at (860) 673-1441.


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