Schenley Shuffle 5k set for September 13
The third annual Schenley Shuffle 5k will be September 13 at Bartlett Shelter, Schenley Park, Oakland. This fun, low-key race benefits senior citizens in Allegheny County. All proceeds benefit the Heart of Gold Fund, which makes money available for the purchase of independence-enhancing items for seniors through the United Way’s Open Your Heart to a Senior program.
Your participation directly benefits older adults who need some extra assistance to continue living independently at home. The race is presented by the University of Pittsburgh Student Occupational Therapy Association. Registration fee is $20 and the first 100 registrants receive a free t-shirt. Well-behaved pets are welcome.
Registration is at 8:00 a.m., race warm-up and yoga stretch begin at 8:30 a.m. and the race begins at 9:00a.m. There will be brunch and a raffle drawing at 10:00 a.m. Register online at www.schenleyshuffle14.eventbrite.com. For more information about Open Your Heart to a Senior or the Schenley Shuffle, email allegheny@openyourhearttoasenior.org or call 412-307-0071.
More communities offering OYHS Volunteer Information & Orientation Sessions
Open Your Heart to a Senior trains volunteers at several locations around Allegheny County. OYHS volunteers help seniors live safely and independently in their own homes. Seniors need your friendship and time, a ride to the doctor or grocery, a friendly visit or phone call, or help with light yard work. The time commitment is flexible and the need is ongoing in EVERY Allegheny County community. For more information, or to register for information and orientation sessions , visit www.openyourhearttoasenior.org, email allegheny@openyourhearttoasenior.org or call 412-307-0071 or 2-1-1.
UPCOMING Open Your Heart to a Senior VOLUNTEER INFORMATION & ORIENTATION SESSIONS
August 5 at 10:30 am – Panera Bread, Waterworks Mall, 942 Freeport Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
August 13 at 10:00 am – Panera Bread, (McKnight Road) 7217 McKnight Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (Ross)
August 14 at 6:00 pm – Family Services of WPA, 6401 Penn Ave, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (E. Liberty)
August 27 at 6:00 pm – Panera Bread, 1500 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228
Sept. 9 at 6:30 pm – Eat N Park (Pittsburgh Mills), 3005 Pittsburgh Mills Blvd, Tarentum, PA 15084
Sept. 11 at 5:30 pm – Panera Bread, 3401 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 (Oakland)
Sept. 19 at 9:00 am – Family Services of WPA, 6401 Penn Avenue, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 (E. Liberty)
Sept. 20 at 11:00 am – Starbucks, 971 Greentree Rd., Pittsburgh, 15220 (Green Tree)
Sept. 23 at 2:30 pm – Eat N Park, 7671 McKnight Road (Southbound),Pittsburgh, PA 15237 (Ross)
Free Home Safety Inspections are available for seniors
Are you a senior living at home? Trained Safety for Seniors volunteers with Open Your Heart to a Senior will conduct a brief but thorough FREE home safety assessment using a written checklist making recommendations for family members to adjust/remove potential hazards. They install smoke alarms (if needed) and leave seniors with a bag of safety items, like a flashlight and fresh batteries, a bath mat, night light and other helpful items. After the check has been completed seniors qualify for either a free grab bar or an indoor railing installed at no charge.
For information, please contact Cathy Pschirer 412-307-0069 ext 3313 or clpschirer@nhco.org at North Hills Community Outreach. Safety for Seniors Service Days through Open Your Heart to a Senior
Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization for older adults. Help seniors reduce their risk of falling at home! As a volunteer for this service day you will pair up with another volunteer to visit the homes of two seniors. At the homes you will check for common fall and fire hazards and make recommendations to help people improve safety and reduce the risk of fall and fire hazards in their homes.
The next service day is August 30.
Training is provided from 11am-12pm, home visits are 1 pm – 4 pm. For more information or to register for an upcoming service day, contact Jeffrey Holmes at holmesj@fswp.org or 412-661-1670 x613.
Volunteers needed to help seniors with light yard work
Seniors countywide are calling Open Your Heart to a Senior seeking help with light yard work this summer. Volunteers are needed in all neighborhoods of Allegheny County to help plant flowers and mow seniors’ lawns if possible. This is a great summer volunteer opportunity for teens and groups. Your time commitment is flexible. To register as a volunteer with OYHS, call 412-307-0071 or email allegheny@openyourhearttoasenior.org.