With Guest Speakers Charles Fogarty and Bishop Devadhar
East Providence, RI: United Methodist Elder Care held its Annual Meeting on June 22 at Winslow Gardens Retirement Center in East Providence. Charles Fogarty, Director of Elderly Affairs in Rhode Island and Bishop Sudarshana Devadhar of the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church were guest speakers at the event.
Fogarty addressed the Governor’s new budget and how it impacted Medicaid and elderly issues, bolstering some programs such as Meals on Wheels. Bishop Devadhar talked about the service roots of the United Methodist Church and encouraged support of nonprofits, like United Methodist Elder Care, as an example of what Christ commands us to do.
Four awards for outstanding service were presented during the meeting: one to a local business and three to individuals. The Distinguished Service Award was given to two residents: Jean James, a resident of Winslow Gardens and Dorothy Flowers, a resident of Linn Health Care Center. Both James and Flowers have a long track record of volunteer service and loyal fundraising. “I have received much more than I have given,” said Jean James.
The Community Partner Award was given to the law firm, Brennan, Recupero, Cascione, Scungio & McAllister, LLP for their longtime support and sponsorship of United Methodist ElderCare. The Community Service Award was accepted by Angelo Olivelli, who has provided spiritual care for the residents by presiding over Christian services in Linn Health Care Center’s chapel once a month for twenty-seven years. Angelo remarked that “It has been a privilege and a blessing to serve the residents over the years.”
United Methodist Elder Care provides a continuum of care and housing in the form of independent living, assisted living and nursing care. The independent and assisted living is for seniors of modest means in the Providence, East Providence and Woonsocket areas of Rhode Island. The five-star rated nursing home, Linn Health Care Center, provides short term rehab and long term nursing care.