Medina Senior Center will celebrate 50th anniversary on June 9
Sheriff Bower urges seniors to participate in Yellow Dot
By Ginny Kropf, correspondent
Photo by Ginny Kropf: Lynn Creasey, president of the Senior Center of Western Orleans, and director Kelly Shaw introduce Sheriff Randy Bower, who talked about the Yellow Dot Program during the monthly senior luncheon on Monday.
MEDINA – Seniors who attended Monday’s luncheon meeting at the Senior Center of Western Orleans learned about the workings of the Orleans County Sheriff’s Office and also were given a lesson in promoting their own safety.
Guest speaker at the meeting was Sheriff Randy Bower, who explained the role of the Sheriff’s Office. One of the responsibilities is the 911 call center and the $1 charged on everyone’s cell phone bill which is supposed to help pay for it. However, the state takes almost all of the money, Bower said.
Recently, Bower met with Congressman Chris Collins and the Federal Communications Commission, and it looks like counties are going to start getting more of that money back by the end of the year, Bower said.
The sheriff also focused on the Yellow Dot Program. He passed out a form which seniors were encouraged to fill out with all their pertinent medical and contact information. Then, by placing one of the yellow dots on the rear driver’s side window of their car, in case of an emergency, first responders know to look in the glove compartment for the information form. Also, a yellow dot placed on a window or door in the house lets emergency personnel know the information form is in the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
Bower said his department gives the yellow dots out at the fair, schools or any event which they attend.
He also praised the cooperation his office receives from neighboring sheriff’s offices in Niagara, Genesee and Monroe counties.
“Any time we need something, like a helicopter from Niagara County, it is here, at no cost to Orleans taxpayers,” Bower said. “We are the most blessed county.”
The senior luncheon also included a business meeting, during which president Lynn Creasey said the Center is planning to install new lights. He will meet with National Grid to make sure the lights purchased qualify the Center for rebates. The installation will save the Center about $600 a year, he said.
On June 9, the Senior Center will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the organization of Senior Center of Western Orleans. The historic depot in which they meet is 110 years old, Creasey said.
As part of the celebration, all members of the Senior Center will receive a magnet with a picture of the depot. The Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and refreshments will be available.
A basket raffle is scheduled to benefit the Center on June 30. Donations of baskets will be accepted after May 27 and tickets will go on sale shortly after.
