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January 2021 Newsletter
COVID-19 Vaccinations for Older Vermonters are Happening! Here is Information to Help you Sign Up, Starting with Age 75+

Registration for
COVID-19 Vaccinations 75+ 
Click the link to register for a COVID-19 Vaccine:   Register Here
Appointments are required.
Bernie Meme Sweatshirts to Benefit Meals on Wheels In Vermont!

The meals on wheels program has gained international attention since Senator Sanders' generous "Bernie Meme" sweatshirt sales. The home-delivered meals program is often the first in-home service that an older adult receives and serves as a primary access point for other home and community-based services. Volunteers and paid staff who deliver meals to older adults often spend time with the individual to help decrease feelings of isolation. They are also encouraged to report any health or other issues that they may observe. All meals provide at least one third of the daily recommended dietary allowances.

"Senator Sanders has always demonstrated a deep concern about food insecurity in the older Vermonter population”, says Kathy Paquet, the Central Vermont Council on Aging director of nutrition and wellness. “For over 40 years, Central Vermont Council on Aging’s meals on wheels program has been delivering nutritious meals to older adults in their homes while also providing much needed social connections for those Central Vermonters. During this COVID-19 crisis, many more older Vermonters have needed the meals on wheels program. The financial support from Senator Sanders’ sweatshirt fund will go directly to our local contracted nutrition programs and volunteers who directly provide this essential service. We cannot thank Senator Sanders enough for this generous donation!"
Thank you, Senator Sanders for Your Meals on Wheels Donation!
While sweatshirts are currently sold out, here is the link to hopefully purchase when more are available. Bernie Sweatshirts. You can also donate directly to CVCOA's Meals on Wheels Program:
To All Our Amazing Donors!
Central Vermont Council on Aging is so grateful to all of our donors who gave for our year-end appeal. Your generous donations yielded over $20,000!! During this past year, we have had to cancel our in-person fundraising events and your amazing generosity goes a long way to supporting CVCOA to continue to provide services for older Vermonters during this difficult time. We are so humbled and proud of our supporters. Thank you!!!
NEW! Staying Connected!

In this space, look for tips, training opportunities, and strategies for how to stay connected. Maintaining human connection is vital to our health and well-being, especially as we continue to cope with COVID-19. Central Vermont Council on Aging has launched an initiative to support older Central Vermonters to get and stay connected and to combat loneliness and isolation experienced by so many of us. Stay tuned for more articles and tips on Staying Connected such as those below!
Central VT Council on Aging Creative Arts Initiative Seeking More Creative Companion Volunteers     
CVCOA’s new Creative Arts Initiative is growing! The CVCOA Creative Arts Initiative supports the development of lifelong learning and creative skill-building opportunities for older adults. We encourage participation in activities that foster creative engagement and skill building in a social environment. 

Over the next few weeks, we will be sending out 40 more kits to older Central Vermonters who want to participate. We are seeking more caring, compassionate, and patient Creative Companion volunteers to connect with participants by telephone. The Creative Companion volunteers also receive a kit filled with watercolor supplies and materials, a skills-based exercise book, and a binder filled with resources and activities. Creative Companions contact recipients of kits a few times per month to check in, encourage people to complete the activities, and discuss their artwork and creativity. No previous experience in the arts is necessary, only a motivation to learn and a desire to engage and connect with others. For questions about the project, please contact Luke Rackers at lrackers@cvcoa.org or call
802-479-1953. Fill out our volunteer application today and one of our volunteer coordinators will be in touch: www.cvcoa.org/volunteer.html 
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Technology4Tomorrow, our tech partner, is hosting a free Basic Zoom Training on February 10th from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - For more details, click here: http://tech4tomorrow.org/calendar-of-events/
We need volunteers in your town to help our older neighbors with contactless grocery shopping.

Interested?