How to Find Financial Assistance for Elderly Parents

Where can I go to locate financial assistance programs for seniors? I have been helping support my 70-year-old mother the past couple years and really can't afford to do it any longer.
There are actually a wide variety of financial assistance programs and government benefits that can help seniors in need. But what's available to your mom will depend on her income level and where she lives.
To find out what types of assistance your mom may be eligible for, just go to BenefitsCheckUp.org, a free, confidential Web tool designed for adults 55 and older and their families. It will help you locate federal, state and private benefits programs that can assist with paying for food, medications, utilities, health care, housing and other needs. This site – created by the National Council on Aging – contains more than 2,000 programs across the country.
To identify benefits, you'll first need to fill out an online questionnaire that asks a series of questions like your mom's date of birth, her ZIP code, expenses, income, assets, veteran status, the medications she takes and a few other factors. It takes about 15 minutes.
Once completed, you'll get a report detailing all the programs and services she may qualify for, along with detailed information on how to apply.
Some programs can be applied for online, some have downloadable application forms that you can print and mail, fax or email in, and some require that you contact the program's administrative office directly (they provide the necessary contact information).
If you don't have Internet access, you can also get help in-person at any of the 47 Benefit Enrollment Centers located throughout the U.S. Call 888-268-6706 or visit NCOA.org/centerforbenefits/becs to locate a center in your area. Some centers also offer assistance over the phone.

Types of Benefits

Depending on your mom's income level and where she lives, here are some benefits that she may be eligible for:
Food Assistance: Programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help pay for groceries. The average monthly SNAP benefit is currently around $127 per person. Other programs that may be available include the Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program.
Healthcare: Medicaid and Medicare Savings Programs can help or completely pay for out-of-pocket health care costs. And, there are special Medicaid waiver programs that provide in-home care and assistance.
Prescription Drugs: There are hundreds of programs offered through pharmaceutical companies, government agencies and charitable organizations that help lower or eliminate prescription drug costs, including the federal Low Income Subsidy known as "Extra Help" that pays premiums, deductibles and prescription copayments for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Utility Assistance: There's the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as local utility companies and charitable organizations that provide assistance in lowering home heating and cooling costs.
Supplemental Security Income (SSI): Administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI provides monthly payments to very low-income seniors, age 65 and older, as well as to those who are blind and disabled. SSI pays up to $733 per month for a single person and up to $1,100 for couples.
In addition to these programs, there are numerous other benefits they can help you locate such as HUD housing, home weatherization assistance, tax relief, veteran's benefits, senior transportation, respite care, free legal assistance, job training and employment and debt counseling.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published August 5, 2016

How to Choose an Adult Day Care Service

Can you offer any tips on finding and choosing a good adult day care service for an elderly parent? My 82-year-old mother, who is moving in with me, has Alzheimer's and needs attention during the day while I'm at work.
Adult day care services can be a great option for caregivers who work or for those who just need a break during the day. Here's what you should know, along with some tips to help you find and choose one.

Adult Day Services

The adult day care service business has grown rapidly in recent years. According to the National Adult Day Services Association, there are around 5,700 programs operating in the United States today.
As the name implies, an adult day care center provides care for elderly seniors who cannot care for themselves at home. While services will vary from center to center, they typically provide personal care, meals and snacks, various activities and social interaction in a safe supportive environment. Additionally, many centers also provide health services, such as medication management, various therapies, exercise and transportation to and from the facility.
Adult day care centers generally operate programs during normal business hours, five days a week. However, some centers may offer additional evening and weekend services as well.
Depending on where you live, costs for care will vary anywhere between $25 to more than $100 per day. The national average is $65 per day.
Unfortunately, in most cases, original Medicare (Part A and B) does not pay for adult day care. While some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans and many long-term care insurance policies will pay for expenses, most seniors (or their families) will pay for the care out-of-pocket.
If your mom has a low amount of income and can't afford this, many states offer Medicaid waiver programs. Additionally, some states have Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE programs) that provide financial assistance. Contact your state Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov) for more information. The VA even provides adult day care to eligible veterans enrolled in their Medical Benefits Package. See VA.gov/geriatrics to learn more.

How to Choose

Your first step in searching for an adult day care center is to determine the kinds of services your mother needs. After you do that, here are some tips to help you locate and choose a good provider.
Start by contacting your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) to get referrals to adult day service programs in your area. You can also search online at the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) website at NADSA.org/locator or check your phone book yellow pages under "Adult Day Care" or "Seniors Services."
Once you have a list of a few centers, call them to find out their eligibility criteria, if they offer the types of services your mother needs, if they are accepting new clients, if they are licensed and/or registered with a state agency (this is not required in all states), their hours of operation and what they charge.
After you identify a few good centers, go in for a visit. Find out about the staffing ratio (at least one staff member for every six participants is recommended) and what kind of training they have. While you're there, notice the cleanness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem friendly and knowledgeable? Also be sure to taste the food and consider making an unannounced visit.
To help you rate your visit, the NADSA offers a helpful checklist of questions to ask. To view this checklist visit NADSA.org and click on "Choosing a Center."
After your visit, be sure to check the center's references. Get names and phone numbers of at least two or three families who have used the center you are considering and call them.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published July 22, 2016

Great Gadgets for Aging Golfers

Can you recommend any products that can help older golfers? I love to play golf, but at age 74, I have hip and back problems that make bending over to tee up or pick up the ball difficult. And I have arthritis in my thumbs that makes gripping the club a problem.
There are actually a wide variety of nifty golf accessories and adaptive equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with injuries, arthritis or loss of mobility. Here are several products for different needs.

Bending Substitutes

The game of golf requires a lot of repetitive bending and stooping that comes with teeing up the ball, repairing divots, marking the ball on the green and retrieving a ball, tee or club on the ground.
For teeing up the ball without bending over, consider one of the Northcroft Golf Tee-Up devices. These are long-handled tools (1.5 to 3 feet long) that have trigger-style handgrips and a jaw that holds the ball and tee for easy placement. They cost between $69 and $72 and are available at NorthcroftGolf.com. For other tee-up solutions, see the Tee Pal ($55, TeePalPro.com) and Joe's Original Backtee ($15, UprightGolf.com).
NorthcroftGolf.com and UprightGolf.com also offer a variety of stoop-proof ball pickup accessories, divot repair and magnetic ball marker products ranging between $5 and $12.
If you just want a great all-around golf picker-upper, consider the Graball GrabAll Jaw - sold through Amazon.com for $10 for a package of two. It attaches to the handle end of your putter and chipper and is designed to pick up golf balls, flagsticks, putters and green side chippers.

Gripping Aids

To help alleviate your golf club gripping problem, there are specially designed golf gloves and grips that can make a big difference.
The best gloves are the Bionic Golf Gloves (BionicGloves.com) that have extra padding in the palm and finger joints to improve grip. The Power Glove (PowerGlove.com) is another option, which has a small strap attached to the glove that loops around the club grip to secure it in your hand. These run between $20 and $30.
You can also get oversized grips installed on your clubs. This can make gripping the club easier and more comfortable and are also great at absorbing shock. Oversized grips are usually either one-sixteenth-inch or one-eighth-inch larger in diameter than a standard grip and cost around $10 per grip. You can find these grips and have them installed at your local golf store or pro shop.
For a grip-and-glove combination fix, consider the Quantum Grip (QuantumGrip.com) that incorporates Velcro material recessed in the golf club grip and a companion golf glove that has matching Velcro material in the palm. These cost $20 per grip, plus $35 per glove.

Vision Helper

If vision problems make finding the ball difficult, Chromax golf balls (ChromaxGolf.com) can make a big difference. These are reflective colored golf balls that make them appear larger and brighter. They cost $10.50 for a three-pack.

Ergonomic Carts

There are also ergonomically designed golf carts that can help you transport your golf clubs around the course. If you like to walk, the Sun Mountain Sports Micro-Cart, V1 Sport Cart or Reflex Cart are great options. These are three and four-wheeled, lightweight push carts that fold into a compact size for easy transport. Available at SunMountain.com for $200, $210 and $230.
For severe mobility loss, the SoloRider specialized electric golf cart (SoloRider.com) provides the ability to play from a seated or standing-but-supported position. Retailing for $9,450, plus a $550 shipping fee, this cart is lightweight and precisely balanced so it can be driven on tee boxes and greens without causing any damage. Federal ADA laws require that all publically owned golf courses allow them.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published July 15, 2016

WCCF offering $30,000.00 in Fall Grant Cycle

There will be a public meeting for any non-profit organization wishing to apply for a grant from the Washington County Community Foundation. The meeting will be held on August 2nd, 2016 at 6:00 pm at the Community Learning Center. We will discuss our grant criteria, guidelines, application process, deadlines and reporting process. There will be an opportunity to ask questions. Our goal is that by the end of the meeting, all potential applicants will have a strong understanding of the process. Attendance at this meeting is not required to apply for a grant; however, first-time grant applicants are strongly encouraged to attend this session.

This type of grant is issued from the Washington County Community Foundation’s Touch Tomorrow funds. The total amount available for this grant cycle is $25,000.00.

Grant applications for the fall grant cycle will be available at the public meeting and the WCCF office. You can also download the application on the Foundation website, www.wccf.biz and clicking on the Grant Seekers portion of the homepage. The Washington County Community Foundation will begin accepting applications on August 2, 2016. The application deadline will be 3:30 pm, September 15, 2016. For more information, you may call Judy Johnson or Lindsey Wade-Swift at the Foundation office. The number is 883-7334.

Who's Eligible for Social Security Survivor Benefits?

Who is eligible for Social Security survivor benefits? My ex-husband died last year at the age of 59, and I would like to find out if me, or my two kids - ages 13 and 16 - that we had together are eligible for anything.
If your ex-husband worked and paid Social Security taxes, both you and your kids may very well be eligible for survivors' benefits. However, you need to act quickly because benefits are generally only retroactive up to six months. Here's what you should know.
Under Social Security law, when a person who has worked and paid Social Security taxes dies, certain members of that person's family may be eligible for survivors' benefits, including spouses, former spouses and dependents. Here's a breakdown of who may be eligible.
Widows and divorced widow: Surviving spouses are eligible to collect a monthly survivor benefit as early as age 60 (or age 50 if disabled). Divorced surviving spouses are also eligible at this same age, if they were married at least 10 years and did not remarry before age 60 (or age 50 if disabled), unless the marriage ends.
How much you'll receive will depend on how much money your spouse or ex-spouse made over their lifetime (i.e., the earnings that were subject to Social Security taxes) and your age when you apply for survivors' benefits.
If you wait until your full retirement age, you'll receive 100% of your deceased spouse's (or ex-spouse's) benefit amount. Note that full retirement age is 66 for people born between 1945 and 1956 and gradually increases to age 67 for those born in 1962 or later. If you apply after age 60 but before your full retirement age, then your benefit will be somewhere between 71.5% and 99% of your deceased spouse's benefit.
To find out what percentage you can get when you reach your full retirement age visit ssa.gov/survivorplan/survivorchartred.htm.
There is, however, one exception. If a surviving spouse (or ex spouse) is caring for a child (or children) who is under age 16 or disabled, then the surviving spouse is eligible to receive 75% of the deceased spouse's benefit amount at any age.
Unmarried children: Surviving unmarried children under age 18 (or up to age 19 if they are still attending high school) are eligible to receive survivor benefits too. Benefits can also be paid to children at any age if they were disabled before age 22 and remain disabled. Both biological and adoptive children are eligible, as well as children born out of wedlock. Dependent stepchildren and grandchildren may also qualify. Children's benefits are equal to 75% of the worker's benefit.
Dependent parents: Benefits can also be paid to dependent parents who are age 62 and older. For parents to qualify as dependents, they must have received at least one half of their financial support from the deceased worker.
However, it is important to be aware that Social Security has limits on how much a family can receive in monthly survivors' benefits. The amount is usually limited to 150% to 180% of the workers benefit.
You also should be aware that in addition to survivor benefits, surviving spouses and children are eligible to receive a one-time death benefit of $255.

Maximizing Strategies

Social Security also provides surviving spouses and ex-spouses some nice strategies that can help boost their benefits. For example, you could take a reduced survivor benefit at age 60 and then switch to your own retirement benefit a few years down the road if it offers a higher payment.
Or, if you're already receiving retirement benefits, you could switch to the survivors' benefit if it offers a higher payment. You cannot, however, receive both benefits.
You also need to know that if you collect a survivors' benefit while working and have not reached your full retirement age, then your benefits may be reduced depending on your earnings.
For more information, visit ssa.gov/survivorplan or call 800-772-1213.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Free Women Landowners Conference- Register Now

WOMEN FARMLAND OWNERS IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON COUNTY INVITED TO FREE CONSERVATION DISCUSSION AND FIELD TOUR

SALEM, INDIANA--Women who own or manage farmland in Washington and surrounding counties are invited to participate in a free conservation discussion and field tour on July 15 at the Washington County Community Foundation, 1707 Shelby, Salem, Indiana 47167.

“We estimate that women now own or co-own between one-fourth and one-half of the farmland in the Midwest and they are very interested in farming practices that benefit the health of their land,” said Jennifer Filipiak, associate Midwest director for the American Farmland Trust. “Our goal is to connect these women with each other and with the resource professionals who can help them with their farmland management goals.”

Female conservation professionals are on hand to answer questions and share resources. “These meetings have been well-received in other parts of Indiana,” remarked Ruth Hackman, District Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service “and we’re looking forward to bringing this unique educational opportunity to our area again. Our first session last year had such a good turnout that attendees had to be turned away. Women are now playing major roles on farms in Washington County and many times are not aware of the services that are available to them.”

Following lunch, area natural resource specialists will lead a bus tour to view conservation practices on the ground. Discussion will focus on “Your Land, Your Legacy”, and will include discussion of how to conserve and transfer your legacy to the next generation or how to preserve it as a protected property. The meeting is presented in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, Washington County Community Foundation, Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District and Purdue Extension. “After our last session, we heard from women how grateful they were for a women-only learning environment,” commented Hackman, “and they told us that they were able to discuss issues that they wouldn’t feel comfortable bringing up in any other setting."

On July 15th, a light breakfast and registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the meeting will begin at 9. Lunch is provided, and the program will end with refreshments at 3 p.m.

RSVP by 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, July12th to the Washington County Soil & Water Conservation District at (812) 883-3006, extension 3 or jill.roll@in.nacdnet.net. If you need special accommodations please notify us when you RSVP. And feel free to bring a friend or family member, just let us know when you RSVP!

Staff from the sponsoring organizations will be on hand to answer your questions.

More information can be found at: http://womencaringfortheland.org/indiana/

How Medicare Handles Second Medical Opinions

Does Medicare cover second medical opinions? The doctor I currently see thinks I need back surgery, but I would like to get some other treatment options before I proceed. What can you tell me?
Getting a second medical opinion from another doctor is a smart idea that may offer you a fresh perspective and additional options so you can make a more informed decision. If the second doctor agrees with your current one, it can also give you some reassurance.
Thankfully, Medicare pays for second opinions if your current doctor has recommended surgery or some other major diagnostic or therapeutic procedure.
If you're enrolled in original Medicare, 80% of the costs for second medical opinions are covered under Part B (you or your Medicare supplemental policy are responsible for the other 20%), and you don't need an order or referral from your doctor to get one. Medicare will even pay 80% for a third opinion if the first two differ.
Most Medicare Advantage plans cover second opinions too, but you may need to follow certain steps to get it paid for. For example, some plans will only help pay for a second opinion if you have a referral from your primary care doctor, and/or they may require that you can only use a doctor in their network. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you'll need to call to find out their rules.

Finding Another Doctor

To find another doctor for a second opinion you can ask your current doctor for a name or two. You can also ask another doctor you trust for a referral or you can find one on your own.
Whatever route you choose, it's best to go with a doctor that's affiliated with a different practice or hospital than your original doctor. Hospitals and practices can be set in their ways when it comes to treatments and are likely to offer similar advice.
If you choose to find a doctor on your own, use the Physician Compare tool at Medicare.gov/physiciancompare. This will let you find doctors by name, medical specialty or by geographic location that accept original Medicare. You can also get this information by calling Medicare at 800-633-4227. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can call or visit your plan's website for a list of candidates.
After you have a few doctors' names, there are a number of free online resources to help you research them, including HealthGrades.com and Vitals.com. Also consider AngiesList.com (888-888-5478), which is a membership service that currently offers doctors' ratings and reviews from other members in your area for $3.50 for one month or $11.32 for the year. Angie's List will be offering free reviews this summer.
After you find another doctor, before you get a second opinion you'll need to have your current doctor's office send your medical records ahead to the second doctor, or you may have to pick them up and deliver them yourself. That way, you won't have to repeat the tests you already had. Fortunately, if the second doctor wants you to have additional tests performed as a result of your visit, Medicare will help pay for these tests too.
For more information, see the Medicare publication "Getting a Second Opinion Before Surgery" at Medicare.gov/pubs/pdf/02173.pdf.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Deciding What to Do in Retirement

I just turned 62 and am financially prepared for retirement, but I'm less certain about how to spend my time after leaving work. Can you recommend some resources or tools that can help me with this?
This is a great question! Many people, when asked what they want to do when they retire, will say they want a mix of travel, play and meaningful work. Specifics, however, tend to be few and far between. But planning how to fill your time in retirement is just as important as the financial planning aspect. Here are some resources that can help.

Online Tools

A good starting point to figuring out what you want to do in retirement is at LifeReimagined.aarp.org. This is an AARP website (you don't have to be a member to use it) that can help you rediscover what truly matters to you and focus on what you really want to do. It offers a variety of online exercises and programs that will hopefully spark some ideas and give you inspiration.
Encore.org is another good resource that helps people who are seeking work that matters in the second half of life. Click on "Resources" on the menu bar and download their free Encore Guide and consider purchasing a copy of their excellent "Encore Career Handbook" (available at Amazon.com or BN.com for $10.50) by Marci Alboher.
Also check out the free E-book called "The Age for Change," which can help answer the question: "What now?" You can download this at ComingOfAge.org.
And, if you've never taken a personality test before, this too can be a good tool to help you figure out what type of activities or work you'd like to do. A good option for this is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator assessment, which you can take online at MBTIcomplete.com for $50.

Personalized Guidance

If you want personalized help, you can also get one-on-one guidance from a retirement or life planning coach. Some resources that can help you here include LifePlanningForYou.com, which has a free exercise called EVOKE to help identify a path that might suit you best in later life and provides a directory to registered life planners to help guide you.
Also see RetirementOptions.com, which will connect you with a retirement coach who will give you an assessment to help reveal your attitudes and opinions about work, family life, relationships, leisure time and more. Another resource is LifePlanningNetwork.org, which is a group of professionals and organizations that help people navigate the second half of life. You can also find life and retirement coaching at the International Coach Federation at CoachFederation.org.
Coaching sessions typically range from $75 to $300 or more and usually require four to six sessions to get the most out of the process.

Other Resources

If you're primarily interested in volunteering, finding a retirement job or even starting a business when you retire, there are lots of resources that can help here too.
For volunteering, PointsOfLight.org, VolunteerMatch.org and SeniorCorps.gov help you search for opportunities, or even create one of your own.
To look for job ideas, sites like RetirementJobs.com, Workforce50.com and RetiredBrains.com list thousands of jobs nationwide from companies that are actively seeking older workers. FlexJobs.com can help you find good work-at-home jobs. CoolWorks.com and BackDoorJobs.com are great for locating seasonal or summer jobs in great places. Or to search for freelance opportunities in a wide variety of areas, there's Elance.com and Guru.com.
And if you're interested in starting a new business, the U.S. Small Business Administration offers tips, tools and free online courses to entrepreneurs that are 50 and older at SBA.gov/content/50-entrepreneurs, as does the nonprofit association Score at Score.org.
Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Published June 24, 2016

Eastern, Salem, and West Washington to Tackle Hunger this Fall

For the first time in history, all three county football teams will work together to take down the same opponent: hunger in Washington County.

Turnover Hunger takes aim at fighting hunger by raising money for the Washington County Food Bank Fund in the Washington County Community Foundation.

“The idea is to take something everybody loves (football), and use it to fight something everybody hates (hunger),” explained Andrew Burks, assistant football coach at West Washington High School, who suggested the program. “We shared the idea with others, and it took off from there.

What makes this special is for the first time all three county head football coaches are Washington County born and raised. Phillip, RJ, and Luke are all phenomenal leaders whose respective programs are about more than just winning games. They all want to make a difference in the lives of young men, and in this case, in our community.”

Members of all three teams are now looking for people to sign up and pledge a certain amount of money for each turnover their team forces during the regular and post season play. For example, if a person pledges $1 per turnover and their team forces 25 turnovers, then that individual will make a $25.00 donation to the Washington County Community Foundation for the Washington County Food Bank Fund.

“We honestly have one of the best community foundations in the state,” said Burks. “As a past Lilly Endowment Community Scholar, I can personally speak of the impact our Foundation has had in my life, and the impact they will have in this program will be just as dynamic. Their involvement is essential to the success of Turnover Hunger.”

“While there is some friendly competition going on, everyone is focused on the bigger picture: making sure the elderly, children, or anyone else who needs help getting food in our county, gets fed. It is that simple, and it is that important.”

Players are taking pledges now. This is a great way to demonstrate your school spirit and get involved in a very important cause. Big or small, all the pledges combined will have a huge impact, now and forever.

If you would like to have a pledge form emailed to you, please contact Judy Johnson at director@wccf.biz. You can turn in the pledge form at the Washington County Community Foundation office or at the first home game for your favorite team. Weekly updates will be emailed to participants. Please contact the Washington County Community Foundation office at 812.883.7334 if you have any questions.

Local youth say “Yes!” to being a good sport

Several years ago Terry Schuler established a fund in the Washington County Community Foundation. He wanted to help youth in our community experience summer league baseball and softball and to grow as a result of the experience.

This year, the first Terry Schuler Good Sportsmanship Awards were presented to local youth who participated in the Salem Park and Rec summer baseball/softball season. Players were nominated by the league directors. “We are excited joining forces with the Washington County Community Foundation by way of this special Terry Schuler Fund to encourage and reward outstanding sportsmanship within our Baseball/Softball/Tee Ball program,” stated Denise Newkirk, Director of the Salem Park and Rec Department. “Our three league directors over Girls Softball, Tee Ball/Rookie, and 10U/12U Baseball were asked to observe and nominate one player from each age division who displayed positive sportsmanship during the 2016 season. The actual process was left up to the individual league director. Congratulations to the recipients, and thank you to the Washington County Community Foundation. Each player received a backpack and a book.

Additionally, Judy Johnson, Executive Director of the Washington County Community Foundation presented a check to Denise Newkirk. The check for $690.00 was from the Terry Schuler fund and is to be used to buy baseball/softball equipment. “Terry wanted local kids to find the joy and learn the important life lessons that he did we he played summer ball,” explained Johnson. “He believed that the lessons he learned on the ballfield helped to develop his character and values. It is our hope that these awards will nurture good sportsmanship in all our youth.”

The mission of the Washington County Community Foundation is to engage people, build resources and strengthen our community. Visit the website at www.wccf.biz and like the Foundation on Facebook.