Officials Serve Meal To NU-HOPE Clients

It wasn't Thanksgiving for Juana Robles, but she was thankful, nevertheless, for the once-a-year turkey and dressing dinner served by elected officials in Highlands County.

The Sebring woman was one of 250 NU-HOPE clients who broke bread with each other, and public officials who served the meals, like Lake Placid Mayor Tom Katsanis, Avon Park Police Chief Matt Doughney and Supervisor of Elections Joe Campbell.

Robles was surrounded by nine companions she normally lunches with at Fairhavens, 3015 Spinks Road.

"It's a good chance to meet the people we don't see for a long time," she said.

NU-HOPE, a non-profit corporation, serves 1,800 hot meals a month - five to seven days a week, depending on the client's need - at congregate centers in Sebring, Lake Placid and Avon Park. It also delivers 2,700 meals to homes, said Debbie Slade, assistant executive director. It's all about keeping seniors in their homes for as long as they can stay independent.

"It's a lot more cost effective," said Slade. That's why NU-HOPE Elder Care Services Inc. is funded through grants from the U.S. and Florida governments, United Way, and the Highlands County commissioners. The Sebring agency started in 1975, and is also funded with donations, and through sales at its used clothing and furnishings stores in Sebring and Lake Placid.

Clients who can't keep up with their own housework also get home aides who wash the dishes, vacuum, transport to doctors, and remind them about nutrition and medications.

Two tables away, caseworker Denise Hamilton reached down and hugged a senior she knew, Stephen Proffetta.

"I tell people the name is Irish," he joked. He's a thin Italian-American with a long white mustache, a veteran of World War II. And his war story is incredible: he was dropped in the Philippines six months before the Japanese invaded. It was Proffetta's job to befriend the natives and report back to Gen. MacArthur's invasion forces.

"I was a spy," Proffetta said. No kidding.

This is the sort of man Slade said needs to stay out of a nursing home for as long as he can. He's in a wheelchair, and he's legally blind in both eyes. He has enough vision to get around his own house, but he occasionally needs the help of Hamilton - his case worker - when he has a problem.

NU-HOPE also helps 600 to 800 clients with assisted living waivers, Medicaid waivers, monthly subsidies, companionship, medical supplies, personal grooming and medical alerts for clients who have fallen or having an emergency.

After serving the meals, AKTION Special Stars from ARC and the elected officials were invited to sit, eat and talk.

"It's a great opportunity to help out seniors," said Avon Park Police Commander Mike Rowan. "We've already met a lot of senior citizens we know." He worked alongside Capt. Paul Blackman and three high-ranking Highlands County sheriff's deputies.

For Jan Raccine, who serves about 26 meals every day at the Fairhavens meal site, it was a chance to socialize with her clients.

These meals, she said, are an important part of her client's day. It does more than keep them occupied. Often it's their only social contact, because after lunch, they talk with and counsel each other with problems.

"Instead of sitting at home, alone," Raccine said.