News Archive

"Just in Case" program provides emergency tools for seniors

Karen McLaughlin, For The Capital

A flashlight and some bottled water might mean the difference for seniors trying to survive an emergency.

Thanks to some local volunteers, 100 more area seniors will have a kit they can count on.

The "Just in Case" kits provide local seniors with emergency information and a three-day supply of food and water in case of a power outage or other emergency. Partners in Care, a Severna Park-based community service organization for the elderly, and members of Leadership Anne Arundel planned, created and distributed more than 100 kits when the two organizations began working together on the project last May.

Leadership Anne Arundel is a nonprofit organization that provides civic and leadership education and support. Participants work on a final project, conducted in groups. One of the groups wanted to work with the "Just in Case" program.

Last weekend, about 10 volunteers gathered to assemble an additional 100 kits.

"Avian flu, chemical spills, terrorism, hurricanes or a power outage - emergency preparedness is so important," said Anne Myers, development director at Partners in Care and a Leadership Anne Arundel participant. "The most vulnerable people are the seniors."

Barney Hughes of Severna Park worked to fill kits, along with his children, Tyler, 16, and Erica, 10. Mr. Hughes is a Leadership Anne Arundel participant and is a vice president of M&T Bank.

"It has a good meaning in the community, but it was also a tangible thing we could do as a class - that's what we liked about it," he said.

Mr. Hughes said that teaming with Partners in Care connected his class with a network of seniors who could benefit.

Each kit holds enough nonperishable food in easy-open containers to provide three meals for three days. Kits contain food that is considered appropriate for seniors - high protein, low salt and low sugar choices, such as breakfast bars and high fiber crackers. The items include canned tuna and chicken and individual serving fruit cups. Bottled water, juice and non-refrigerated milk are also included.

The kit also contains emergency information from the Red Cross, an AM/FM radio, flashlight and batteries. Seniors also are encouraged to add approximately three to five days' worth of medication, a spare pair of reading glasses and a list of phone numbers and addresses of relatives and doctors.

Recipients are area senior citizens who already have contact with Partners in Care, especially those who live alone. Maureen Cavaiola, one of the founders of Partners in Care, said this kit is another connection for seniors, both to the program and to the community.

The kit also provides something else - peace of mind. For area seniors, the kit provides a sense of security.

"It makes people feel better," said Ms. Myers. "Someone has thought of them and is paying attention." Just getting the supplies ready prior to assembly was a tough job. The preparation time makes the assembly easier and more organized.

"It doesn't sound like a lot," said Anne Myers, but it's really labor intensive."

Barbara Huston, president and one of the founders of Partners in Care, said the group ordered the supplies ahead of time and picked them up for assembly day. She said that Giant Food in Severna Park has been very helpful filling the large order. Each kit costs just under $50.

Leadership Anne Arundel participant Chuck Vogan of Edgewater said that one boost to the kits came in the form of contributions.

"The support from the community has been significant," he said.

Mr. Vogan said the county's Office of Emergency Management donated radios and flashlights. Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. was another big donor, giving the project flashlights and hundreds of batteries.

Ken Brennan, owner of The Saucy Salamander in Annapolis and a graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel, donated all of the bottled water.

Ms. Myers praised the support of other community groups, including ARINC, Accenture, M&T Bank, Assistance League of the Chesapeake, the Volunteer Center of Anne Arundel County, the county Health Department, Anne Arundel Community College, the United Way, the Parole Rotary and WNAV 1430 Radio.

Volunteers from Leadership Anne Arundel and Partners in Care have already distributed 150 kits, and plan to distribute this next batch as soon as possible. Leadership Anne Arundel participant and Historic Annapolis Foundation manager Patricia Blick of Annapolis helped deliver kits. "It struck me as evident that there's a real need for this," she said.

Partners in Care plans to maintain the kits by replenishing supplies to replace used items and ensure current shelf life. The cost of maintaining a kit will be approximately $30.

"It doesn't solve all the world's problems," said Ms. Myers, "but it's a way to prepare seniors for emergencies."

Karen McLaughlin is a freelance writer in Severn.
Published August 01, 2006, The Capital, Annapolis, Md.
Copyright © 2006 The Capital, Annapolis, Md.