Month: September 2014

Pamela Baker Blood, a volunteer with the Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., has been nominated for a national volunteer leadership award.

The Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award recognizes top volunteers with the Shepherd’s Centers of America network for their service in helping seniors live safely and independently in their own homes. This is the only national volunteer award recognizing the service of seniors to seniors.

“There are countless ways volunteers inspire others,” said Shepherd’s Centers of America’s board chair, Kay Wallick. “Through the Shepherd’s Centers network, senior volunteers perform simple, ordinary acts of care and kindness that make a remarkable difference in the lives of other seniors.”

Volunteer activities include driving a neighbor to a doctor’s appointment or grocery store, or could be as simple as changing a light bulb, helping with minor home repairs, or offering companionship with regular, friendly visits.

“These acts of kindness allow older adults to safely remain in their own homes,” Wallick said.

“Pam is the kind of volunteer every Shepherd’s Center loves,” said one reviewer from the national committee. She is a leader in sharing her time, ideas, financial support and hands in service.

“We are honored to work alongside Pam in delivering our mission in the community,” said Melissa Bynum, executive director of Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan. “She makes numerous sacrifices to help others and give back.”

Each year, the Shepherd’s Centers network of 60 centers supports nearly 10,000 volunteers who donate 375,500 hours of service. As a result, 42,000 older adults are provided informal caregiving services at no charge. The estimated value of these services is $8.3 million, based on the Independent Sector’s value for volunteer time.

The distinguished Donald Owen Smith National Volunteer Leadership Award is given annually to recognize volunteers from around the Shepherd’s Centers network. The 2014 award winner will be announced Oct. 8, at the Shepherd’s Centers of America national conference in Lake Junaluska, N.C.

Free flu shots will be offered from 7:30 a.m. to noon Monday, Sept. 29, at the Reardon Convention Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Sponsored by the Mid America Immunization Coalition, a program of Mother and Child Health Coalition, and other groups, this will be the first of several free flu shot clinics.

Other sponsors of the event include Walgreens and Region VII Health and Human Services.

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccinations for everyone age 6 months or older. Vaccination is especially important for people at high risk of flu complications, including: pregnant women, older adults, young children.

Flu activity most commonly peaks in the U.S. between December and February. However, seasonal flu activity can begin as early as October and continue to occur as late as May. The timing of flu is very unpredictable and can vary from season to season and people are reminded that it takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against the flu. The sooner one vaccinates the better, according to health authorities.

In 2013, this group gave out more than 900 vaccinations throughout the metro area. This year sponsors are aiming to provide more than 3,000 flu vaccinations.

Flu shots at this clinic will be available to those 7 years old and older, while supplies last.

For more information about this event and the upcoming free flu clinics contact Mother and Child Health Coalition at 816-283-6242 or online at www.mchc.net.