NEWSWORTHY
Fort Bend Seniors Meals on Wheels to Host Friend Day Round Up On Friday, May 6th, Fort Bend Seniors (FBS) is hosting a Friend Day Round Up at each of its eight senior congregate locations from 9 am – 12:30 pm. Current center attendees are encouraged to bring a fellow senior, 60 years or older, to enjoy a morning of free activities, lunch and door prizes. “We have been thrilled to welcome back our former center participants in the past few months and are now excited to welcome their friends and neighbors to join us,” said Rick Branek, FBS Field Operations Manager. “The pandemic caused so many to self-isolate and avoid those social activities they once enjoyed. With numbers of new cases going down, high vaccination rates, and our own safety measures, these seniors can finally socialize, have fun and meet new people in a safe and welcoming environment.” All older adults, age 60+, are invited to attend the event and learn more about the free nutrition and wellness programs available through Fort Bend Seniors. The congregate – or community – centers began reopening last June after the pandemic forced their closure for over 17 months. All locations are now open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 12:30 pm, and offer activities such as fitness classes, arts and crafts, bingo, lunch and more. For those who no longer drive, door-to-door transportation is made available through partnerships with Fort Bend County Transit and Colorado Valley Transit.
Carolyn McLean, George Starks, Alton Wilkerson, Lorine Henderson and Anna Wilkerson. FBS services and programs are offered free of charge and enable local seniors to remain independent and in their own homes for as long as possible. For Friend Day Round Up information, call 281-633-7049 or visit fortbendseniors.org to learn how to donate or volunteer to support the cause. For a list of participating centers, visit bit.ly/FBScenters.
Dr. Betty Baitland Named Child Advocate of the Year
CAFB Board President Nancy Olson, Dr. Betty Baitland and CASA Program Director Metoyer Martin. Dr. Betty Baitland was recently honored as the Child Advocate of the Year for 2021 at Child Advocates of Fort Bend’s Volunteer Celebration at Sugar Creek Country Club. More than 220 volunteers, community partners and staff attended.
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“This advocate has gone above and beyond, and her actions will have a long-lasting impact for the children we serve and for our community,” said Child Advocates of Fort Bend Chief Executive Officer Ruthanne Mefford. “Betty has a lifelong passion for children and has dedicated her career to advancing education opportunities and achievement for children and youth across Fort Bend County. “Betty served as our Board Parliamentarian for five years, Vice President in 2019, President in 2020 and Past President for two terms, first in 2021 and then when we invited her back to serve this year for a second term as Past President,” continued Mefford. “She was an inaugural member of our Voices for Children sustainable giving program and our Education Council where her vast experience and understanding of resources available to children has informed our educational advocacy for children in foster care. She is someone we seek out for advice and to discuss new programming, strategy and fundraising ideas. Betty is a true gem, and we honor her for her passion for CAFB, dedication to the children and her incredible generosity.” To see a list of all of the honorees or to learn more about volunteer opportunities with Child Advocates of Fort Bend, go to https://www.cafb.org/events/volunteer-banquet/.
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