PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Rotary Club of Presque Isle, several retail sponsors, community public works departments, Age-Friendly Presque Isle, and the Aroostook Agency on Aging are partnering to provide free five-gallon buckets of sand/salt mix for older adults to prevent slips and falls.
The program coordinators urge older adults to register early to receive one of the sand and salt buckets, which are scheduled to be delivered by Rotarians and other volunteers Thursday afternoon, Oct. 13.
To register for the SAFE STEPS, sand and salt for seniors project, individuals 60 years or older who live in Presque Isle, Easton, Mapleton, Chapman, or Castle Hill, should call the Aroostook Agency on Aging at 207-764-3396 or Ginny Joles at 207-762-8461.
Rotary Community Service Chairperson Ginny Joles said, “Lowe’s, Tractor Supply, and Harbor Freight have generously donated more than 100 plastic five-gallon buckets and the communities of Mapleton, Castle Hill, Chapman, Easton, and Presque Isle have agreed to donate sand/salt mixture. Rotarians and other volunteer teams will collect and fill half-full buckets then deliver to those who have pre-registered with the Agency on Aging. Our aim is to prepare buckets before winter conditions arrive, so older adults can treat safe walking surfaces with a thin layer of sand and salt for better traction on steps, walkways, and driveways before the storm hits. We are thankful to our project partners and volunteers for supporting this worthwhile community cause.”
Joy Barresi Saucier of the Agency on Aging said, “This is an excellent program. For many older adults, an unexpected fall can result in a seriously and costly injury. The good news is that most falls can be prevented. One of the ways we can prevent a fall is by making outdoor entrances, walkways, and driveways free of slippery ice.”
Kimberly Smith, resource development and public information officer for the City of Presque Isle said that this program aligns perfectly with the City’s Age-Friendly Community designation. “The City has made a commitment to actively work with residents to make Presque Isle an age-friendly place to live. This means endeavoring to meet the needs of older adults living and aging in the community. This project is an excellent embodiment of that goal.”
Joles invites business leaders to join in the SAFE STEPS efforts, “Hopefully, businesses will participate in an afternoon of community service. Two-person volunteer delivery teams are welcome to help us efficiently distribute the sand and salt buckets to a few older adults. Contact me if you want to volunteer.”
