>> WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP SENIOR MONTH EVENTS – May, 2006 – all events are free >> 
May 3 - Evergreen Open House. 1-3 p.m. Evergreen Senior Center, 400 Inman Ave., Colonia. Refreshments, tours, activities. Call (732) 382-5544 for info.|
Woodbridge Township Celebrates “Older Americans Month”
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May 1, 2006
WOODBRIDGE – May is national “Older Americans Month”, and Woodbridge Township will offer several special events incorporating this year’s theme of Choices for Independence .
“ Woodbridge has one of the largest and most active senior populations in New Jersey,” says Mayor Frank G. Pelzman. “The staff and volunteers at our Health Department, Division on Aging, Evergreen Senior Center and Multi-Service Program on Aging do a terrific job year-round helping seniors maintain their independence and ability to contribute to the community.”
That contribution grows increasingly significant: Woodbridge Township is home to approximately 20,000 residents over age 60 – nearly one-fifth of the township’s population. “Our senior population is also very diverse,” says Mayor Pelzman. “To meet their needs we have developed a wide spectrum of services and programs.”
And the Township has sought to be pro-active on a wider scale. In his January State of the Township Address, Mayor Pelzman vowed to petition the State for legislation that would provide aid to senior homeowners dealing with costly building permit.
In March, the Mayor’s dream became reality as Middlesex legislators Sen. Joseph Vitale and Asm. John Wisniewski submitted legislation for a “Senior Permit Exemption” law allowing municipalities to grant an exemption from all municipal building permit fees for any senior citizen improving the house he or she owns and occupies.
▪ Woodbridge Township ’s Division on Aging was established in 1992 and is a clearinghouse for information distribution, educational seminars and access to services that range from health screenings and transportation to help with taxes, estate planning and the needs of adult caregivers.
▪ Throughout the year, Woodbridge Township Department of Health and Human Services offers regular medical screenings, seminars and outreach efforts including the COPSA program (Comprehensive Services on Aging) specializing in assistance with mental health issues. These efforts are enhanced during Senior Citizen Month.
▪ The township’s Multi-Service Program on Aging aids more than 500 frail and homebound seniors with a wide variety of services from grief and stress counseling to home visits and recreational activities.
▪ Evergreen Senior Citizen Center in Colonia is a true “activity center”, with dozens of classes and organized events serving hundreds of seniors each week.
▪ Woodbridge has a remarkable neighborhood-based network of 10 senior clubs embracing some 3,000 seniors. Aside from the usual run of recreation events, these senior clubs have taken a very active role in community projects, becoming involved in food bank drives, providing volunteers for innumerable events, helping disseminate information and offering feedback on issues that affect the entire township.
▪ In addition, the township augments seniors’ quality of life with a “Safe and Sound” registry program, a free service that helps locate missing disabled persons, especially those seniors with Alzheimer’s. Other senior-oriented Woodbridge Police Department programs include the Blue Light Program, CAT Program and home security checks.
“Our Health and Human Services Department has put together a terrific mix of Older Americans Month events,” says Mayor Pelzman. “Having plenty of learning and recreational opportunities is essential for maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle into the senior years.”
>> WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP SENIOR MONTH EVENTS – May, 2006 – all events are free >> May 3 - Evergreen Open House. 1-3 p.m. Evergreen Senior Center, 400 Inman Ave., Colonia. Refreshments, tours, activities. Call (732) 382-5544 for info.
May 4 - Elder Law Program on Wills & Estates. 10 a.m.-noon. YMCA at Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St. Presented by Middlesex County Surrogate Kevin J. Hoagland & Gary J. Hoagland, Esq. from Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas. Donuts and coffee will be served. Call (732) 745-5716 to register.
May 9 - Healthy Aging Talk. 1-3 p.m. Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, 91 Main Street, Woodbridge. RSVP (732) 224-6776 by May 8.
May 12 - Senior Prom. Presented by Colonia Kids for Kindness, 1:30-3 p.m. Colonia Middle School, 100 Delaware Ave. RSVP (732) 382-4700 by May 5.
May 17 - “ Dance Down Memory Lane with Radio-TV Star Joe Franklin”. Noon-4 p.m. Refreshments at noon, with Joe Franklin at 1 p.m. and dancing with keyboardist Steve Berger from 2-4 p.m. and dance contest: rhuma, foxtrot, waltz. Evergreen Senior Center, 400 Inman Ave., Colonia. RSVP (732) 382-5544 by May 15.
May 18 - Lowe’s Home Improvement Home Repair Seminar. 10 a.m.-noon. Store employees show handy how-to methods for fixing up your home. YMCA at Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main Street. Call (732) 596-4170 for info.
May 19 - Karaoke Kabaret: Come Sing the Golden Oldies! Noon-2:30 p.m. YMCA at Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St. Light refreshments. Call (732) 596-4164 for info.
May 21 - Opening of Evergreen Senior Art Show. 2-4 p.m. Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge. Call (732) 634-0413 for info.
May 24 - Senior Health & Fitness Day. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.The Club at Woodbridge, 585 Main St., Woodbridge. Tours, activities, healthy cooking. RSVP (732) 634-5000.
May 25 - YMCA Active Older Adults Day. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. YMCA at Woodbridge Community Center, 600 Main St. Crafts, water aerobics, exercise class, billiard exhibition by Woodbridge Senior Billiard Club. Call (732) 596-4170 for info.
May 28 - Closing of Evergreen Senior Art Show. 2-4 p.m. Barron Arts Center, 582 Rahway Ave., Woodbridge. Call (732) 634-0413 for info.
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MIS Department
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