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Federation Star
COMMUNITY FOCUS
April 2021
NAPLES SENIOR CENTER
www.naplesseniorcenter.org / 239.325.4444
Naples Senior Center helps seniors get vaccines How did it happen? Dr. Jaclynn Faffer President/ CEO
N
aples Senior Center has become “vaccine central” for seniors attempting to secure appointments to get their COVID-19 vaccinations. What started as a small project of 150 appointments for Senior Center members over 80 years old and without technology, has developed into a community-wide program, where, to date, we have made more than 3,500 first-shot and 650 second-shot appointments for our seniors. Among those numbers are 350 veterans and at least 10 individuals over 100 years old, with the eldest being a Senior Center member who just turned 106! I am also proud of the connections I made for Beth Tikvah, Chabad and Temple Shalom with the County Department of Health so that they, too, could be part of the process! Although a trite phrase by now, we are all in this together.
Several months ago, Commissioner Penny Taylor and I were talking about how difficult and frustrating the vaccine registration system was for all seniors, but particularly those who do not use technology. In that same phone call, Commissioner Taylor reached out to state Senator Kathleen Passidomo and the health department, and very quickly, Naples Senior Center was allocated 150 appointments for our seniors. The system worked so well that we continue to get special allocations of appointments and links to Eventbrite for scheduling. Staff and volunteers are working diligently, tirelessly and enthusiastically to make sure seniors in our community get vaccinated.
How does it work? Seniors call or email us, providing their information, such as name, date of birth, address and phone number. We put them on a list, eldest and veterans first, and contact them when we get our allocation of appointments. Every senior we talk to expresses how meaningful it is to continued on page 19
To: From:
Tributes
Karen & Stanley Deutsch In honor of your 50th wedding anniversary Judy & Ed Bederman Paula & Ron Filler Nancy & Jack Wiadro
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Eloyse & David Fisher In memory of Robin Fisher Solis Jane Schiff Marcy & Jerry Sobelman
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The Krivosha Family In memory of Judge Norman Krivosha Jane Schiff
Melissa Front & Jonathan Front In memory of Sigmund Front Toni Front
Tributes require a minimum donation of $18.
To: From: To: From:
Alice Richter & Family In memory of Jerry Richter Sue & Ken Reiver Maureen & Dennis Schaab Jane Schiff Emily Schaab In honor of your Bat Mitzvah Jane Schiff
To: Nancy Siegal In memory of Philip Siegal From: Willa & Stephen Goldberger To: From:
Peter Weinberger In memory of your mother Susie Silversmith & Larry Leventon
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The Jewish Federation of Greater Naples Community and Staff A thank you for good wishes on our 50th anniversary Karen & Stanley Deutsch
To place a Tribute in the Federation Star in honor or memory of someone, please contact Nathan Ricklefs at the Federation office at 239.263.4205 or nricklefs@jewishnaples.org. Tributes require a minimum donation of $18. A note will be sent to the person you are honoring. Tributes help further the work of the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples.
TO OUR WCA VOLUNTEERS! Every April during National Volunteer Week, organizations nationwide celebrate and recognize the efforts of their volunteers. The Women’s Cultural Alliance proudly thanks the hundreds of amazing women who create, organize and facilitate activities for WCA. YOU are key to the success of the outstanding programming that WCA offers to our members.
W C A
Thank You
WCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS wcanaples.org
