1 minute read
Vaccinations for seniors continue
Dr. Jaclynn Faffer, President/ CEO
As most of you know, Naples Senior Center has been in the forefront of getting vaccines in the arms of our seniors. We began the program as a “pilot project” in late January and continued nonstop through April 16. On April 16, our last “first shot” was scheduled. By that time, we had scheduled 7,500 seniors for their first shots.
We partnered with the Collier County Department of Health and registered seniors through special links sent to us by DOH. It was a laborious task, but it was a labor of love. We are now in the process of scheduling second shots, which is a much easier process.
Among the 7,500 seniors receiving vaccines were 26 Holocaust survivors and six individuals over age 100. Veterans represented 10% of those vaccinated. We estimate that we facilitated “shots in the arms” to 19% of Collier County seniors over the age of 80!
NSC staff and volunteers made over 25,000 calls. We brought in temporary staff and added four phone lines. We are all so grateful to have had the opportunity to provide this lifesaving service!
Phased reopening
We are beginning to think about a phased reopening for onsite services, hopefully in early September. We will be surveying our membership, clients and volunteers. We know we will be operating as a hybrid of on-site and virtual programming for quite a while. More to come on that front!
Save the date
And, since we are thinking about on-site programming, it is not too early to ask you to save the date for our signature annual fundraiser. Our 10th Annual Evening for Better Tomorrows will be held at Royal Poinciana Country Club on January 8, 2022.
As we begin to enter the warmer months, we hope everyone stays safe and well.