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GIFT Gives Thanksgiving Meals and Offers CHAT to Seniors
GIFT is a grassroots organization started in 2015. GIFT’s “Thanksgiving to GO” program provides 600 Thanksgiving kits for seniors spending the holiday at home.
Adult volunteers cook and package the perishables, assemble the nonperishables, and deliver the kits to seniors — all, as the nonprofit’s name suggests, giving it forward together.
Now, during the pandemic, many seniors who would normally have interactions with their families are now completely isolated, staying at home and no one to speak with. GIFT is stepping up, offering an intergenerational phone matching program called CHAT. We reach as many seniors as possible. “Before COVID, I don’t know that everyone could understand that concept — how a senior might feel, that feeling of being really lonely and out of touch” said Rochel Tombosky, Founder of GIFT, “But I think now that we’ve all experienced loneliness or not being able to be social or connect to people like we used to, we can now relate and hopefully be more empathetic.“
Editor’s Note: This article was submitted by Rochel S. Tombosky, Founder and Executive Director, GIFT, (412) 401-5914, giftpgh@ gmail.com, www.giftpgh.org
OUR MISSION GIFT helps seniors, help the community through focusing on what they CAN do. GIFT is effectively combating ageism, providing a renewed sense of purpose, and reaching an untapped demographic through intergenerational volunteerism.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES WELLNESS & EXERCISE
PROGRAMS continued
Parkinson Wellness Program – Parkinson Foundation of Western PA
575 Lincoln Ave, Bellevue 15202 412-837-2542
Pennsylvania Tobacco QuitLine
800-784-8321
PrimeTime Health – Allegheny County Dept of Human Services AAA
2100 Wharton St, 2nd Fl, Pittsburgh 15203 412-350-5460
Seniority – Heritage Valley Kennedy
25 Heckel Rd, McKees Rocks 15136 412-777-6359
Silver & Fit Program
877-427-4788
SilverSneakers
www.silversneakers.com 866-584-7389 SilverSneakers is a free fi tness program for seniors that includes unlimited access to every participating gym and fi tness center in the network. Visit www.silversneakers.com to fi nd a fi tness center near you or sign up for SilverSneakers LIVE which are online classes that you can take, safely from home.
TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapter 475
419 Washington Ave, Carnegie 15106 412-818-7489 Enjoy contests and speakers while losing weight for $5/month. Meets Tuesdays at 7pm at United Methodist Church.
Venture Outdoors Again
www.ventureoutdoors.org/venture-outdoors-again 412-255-0564 x 200 Friendly outdoor experiences for individuals ages 50+ who would like to become more active. Nature walks, biking, fi shing, kayaking, and more.
Westminster Recreation & Outreach Center - Fitness for Seniors 55+
YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh
420 Fort Duquesne Blvd Ste 625, Pittsburgh 15222 412-227-3800 Call or visit www.ymcaofpittsburgh.org to look for a YMCA location near you.
YMCA of Greensburg
101 S Maple Ave, Greensburg 15601 724-834-0150
