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‘Chore Connection’ Provides Unique Services, Volunteer Opportunities
By Alice Shaw
Contributing Writer
They call themselves the Chore Connection and chores is what they do, but that word doesn’t begin to describe the unique work of the organization, which is sponsored by Surrey Services for Seniors.
Based at Surrey’s Havertown, PA Senior Center, Chore Connection provides help to the neediest residents in all of Delaware County, PA. All of Chore’s workers are volunteers and all of their services are provided free of charge. These services include transportation to medical appointments or errands, friendly visiting, seasonal yard work, odd jobs and minor home repairs, occasional light housekeeping and telephone reassurance.
Transportation is the most requested service.
Chore Connection praises Community Transit (CT) — which provides free to low cost transportation to the elderly and disabled — but states that CT cannot fill the needs of all seniors because “CT provides door to door, not door through door transit; some areas are not covered by CT rides; CT has forced pickup and dropoff times which can involve long waits; it has long bus rides and costs; and does not permit any crossing of county lines for specialist appointments.”
According to Sue Reitsma, Chore Connection coordinator, and Lena McWilliams, program assistant, their organization gets some 20 requests a week for help.
“If we can match volunteers with the need, we will,” said Ms. Reitsma.
Although the Chore program, founded in 1992, is designed to help the county’s neediest senior citizens, Ms. Reitsma said “we try not to be inflexible [about financial eligibility]. The people who call Chore are in major, major trouble. We ask ourselves ‘What’s the need? Can we serve?.’” She added: “Most of the people we help live on less than $400 to $800 per month.”
Ms. Reitsma and Mrs. McWilliams said that many poor seniors in Delaware County would not get the doctor’s care, medicine and food they need without the help of Chore’s volunteer drivers.
One-fifth of Delaware County’s half-million plus population is over age 60, 30% of these people live alone. Moreover, the fastest growing segment of the county’s population consists of those age 85 and over.
Although Chore’s main job is transportation, they said, Chore has been able to help people who need things like vital home repairs — people like the two women who were using two broom handles to go up and down their front steps. Chore volunteers installed a metal railing found at a scrap yard.
One major project which Chore recently completed was clearing away the jungle of trees and bushes that was enveloping the home of an elderly woman. It took a long time and a lot of people, but the job got done.
Chore volunteers include individual adults, high school and church groups, and students from colleges and universities including Eastern, Cabrini and Neumann in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Young people who belong to “M-Fuge,” a Southern Baptist group have also lent Chore a helping hand.
However, Chore is always looking for more volunteers. It has a waiting list of people who need help but who won’t get it unless Chore can find volunteers to do the work.
If you need help from Chore or you can volunteer to help, call 610-446-2070.
By Alice Shaw
Contributing Writer
They call themselves the Chore Connection and chores is what they do, but that word doesn’t begin to describe the unique work of the organization, which is sponsored by Surrey Services for Seniors.
Based at Surrey’s Havertown, PA Senior Center, Chore Connection provides help to the neediest residents in all of Delaware County, PA. All of Chore’s workers are volunteers and all of their services are provided free of charge. These services include transportation to medical appointments or errands, friendly visiting, seasonal yard work, odd jobs and minor home repairs, occasional light housekeeping and telephone reassurance.
Transportation is the most requested service.
Chore Connection praises Community Transit (CT) — which provides free to low cost transportation to the elderly and disabled — but states that CT cannot fill the needs of all seniors because “CT provides door to door, not door through door transit; some areas are not covered by CT rides; CT has forced pickup and dropoff times which can involve long waits; it has long bus rides and costs; and does not permit any crossing of county lines for specialist appointments.”
According to Sue Reitsma, Chore Connection coordinator, and Lena McWilliams, program assistant, their organization gets some 20 requests a week for help.
“If we can match volunteers with the need, we will,” said Ms. Reitsma.
Although the Chore program, founded in 1992, is designed to help the county’s neediest senior citizens, Ms. Reitsma said “we try not to be inflexible [about financial eligibility]. The people who call Chore are in major, major trouble. We ask ourselves ‘What’s the need? Can we serve?.’” She added: “Most of the people we help live on less than $400 to $800 per month.”
Ms. Reitsma and Mrs. McWilliams said that many poor seniors in Delaware County would not get the doctor’s care, medicine and food they need without the help of Chore’s volunteer drivers.
One-fifth of Delaware County’s half-million plus population is over age 60, 30% of these people live alone. Moreover, the fastest growing segment of the county’s population consists of those age 85 and over.
Although Chore’s main job is transportation, they said, Chore has been able to help people who need things like vital home repairs — people like the two women who were using two broom handles to go up and down their front steps. Chore volunteers installed a metal railing found at a scrap yard.
One major project which Chore recently completed was clearing away the jungle of trees and bushes that was enveloping the home of an elderly woman. It took a long time and a lot of people, but the job got done.
Chore volunteers include individual adults, high school and church groups, and students from colleges and universities including Eastern, Cabrini and Neumann in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Young people who belong to “M-Fuge,” a Southern Baptist group have also lent Chore a helping hand.
However, Chore is always looking for more volunteers. It has a waiting list of people who need help but who won’t get it unless Chore can find volunteers to do the work.
If you need help from Chore or you can volunteer to help, call 610-446-2070.