IU Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County are hosting a free health fair this afternoon at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Hospital President Craig Felty encourages people to stop by and see what services are available locally.
“We will have several educational opportunities for people to come in. We’ll also be doing several different types of screenings, which is very important. It helps us to increase the wellness of patients and maybe prevent something or catch something before it gets out of hand. This is a great opportunity to come out, see what is offered at your local hospital, get some free screenings and get some good information about how to stay healthy,” Felty said. Continue reading
IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Hosting Annual Health Fair
IU Health Starke Hospital and Community Services of Starke County are teaming up once again to host an annual health fair. This year’s event will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. Central at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. Community Services of Starke County Executive Director Joan Haugh says it grew out of the Governor’s Council on Aging in Indianapolis and the thought that they could share the same type of educational information with more people by teaming up with the hospital and offering a local event. This is the 13th year of the partnership.
Haugh says May is an ideal time for the health fair, as it is Older Americans Month. She adds it’s open to all ages, including children. This year a free children’s coloring area will be set up to keep youngsters occupied while their parents or other caregivers browse the booths and take part in the various screenings. Continue reading
Community Services of Starke County Hosts Tailgaiting Fundraiser
Attention sports fans. Don’t miss your chance to hang out with Chicago Tribune sports writer David Haugh and bid on some exclusive Chicago sports SWAG Saturday night. He’s headlining a tailgaiting party Saturday night at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center to benefit a nonprofit organization close to his heart. His mother, Joan, is the executive director of Community Services of Starke County. Proceeds from “Tailgaiting with David Haugh and Charlie Adams” will all benefit the agency. Haugh says the organization was a part of his life when he was growing up in North Judson and is very important to Starke County because of all of the services they provide. He and former WSBT sportscaster Charlie Adams will be at the 5 p.m. event, which will include a live auction of a lot of sports memorabilia. Items up for bid include items from the reigning Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks and footballs signed by Chicago Bears players. The Chicago White Sox also donated items, and a signed Notre Dame Football will be sold as well. Continue reading
Annual Community Health Fair Scheduled May 13
The annual IU Health and Community Services of Starke County Health Fair will take place Tuesday, May 13 from 2 until 7 p.m. at the Nancy J. Dembowski Community Center in downtown Knox. IU Health Starke Hospital President Craig Felty says both organizations are dedicated to improving the health of local residents. He says the health fair will feature a number of educational exhibits and several types of screenings. Blood pressure and blood sugar checks, breast exams, oral cancer screenings and osteoporosis checks will all be offered. Also take-home colorectal cancer screening kits will be available. Felty says checking for these types of conditions is critical in order to catch and treat problems before they become significant. IU Health Starke Hospital is also licensed to inspect child safety seats. Technicians will be available at the health fair to make sure car seats are properly installed and sized for the child. This year’s health fair will also feature a coloring area for youngsters so parents and other adults can more easily browse the exhibits and take part in the screenings.
Starke County Emergency Services Board Receives Money to Help Those in Need
The Starke County Emergency Services Board recently received $11,262 to help low-income households.
Half of those funds were allocated to Community Services of Starke County for households in emergency situations that need help with utilities. You may apply for assistance now at Community Services of Starke County from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday.
Donations Needed at Community Services of Starke County
The Community Services of Starke County food pantry is in need of several food and non-food items.
Officials say that peanut butter is needed along with macaroni and cheese. Any other food donation would also be accepted, but those are things that are needed the most.
Tailgating Party to Benefit Starke County Community Services
A tailgating party featuring David Haugh and a special guest has been scheduled for Saturday, April 12 to benefit the elderly services programs offered by Community Services of Starke County. David Haugh is not only the son of Community Services Executive Director Joan Haugh, but also a graduate from North Judson-San Pierre, a former South Bend Tribune employee, and a current columnist for the Chicago Tribune.
Water Available at Community Services of Starke County
Any Starke County resident who needs water can pick up what they need at Community Services of Starke County during business hours. Executive Director Joan Haugh says the Food Bank of Northern Indiana dropped off eight skids of water after learning a number of families are without water due to frozen pipes. Community Services of Starke County is located at 311 East Culver Road in Knox and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Water will be given out on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Additional $5 Million Allocated to Low Income Energy Assistance Program
Donations Given to Starke County Food Pantry
Community Services of Starke County Offers Christmas Aid
WKVI Food Drive a Success, Hundreds of Pounds Raised
Joan Haugh at Community Services of Starke County said she was pleased with the result of the food drive at Five Star. Donors put forth more than $270 to go toward the food pantry, and Five Star also made a $500 donation. A total of 166 pounds of food were raised at Five Star for the food pantry, and Haugh said it will go a long way.
Community Services of Starke County Has List of Families in Need This Holiday Season
The holidays are coming up quickly and if you’re looking to pay it forward and help a family in need, Community Services of Starke County may be able to help you.
Director Joan Haugh said she hopes Community Services can be the main place to gather names of families to help this season. She explained that some families contacted several agencies and received help while others didn’t receive any help.
Salvation Army Volunteers to Begin Ringing Bells Thanksgiving Weekend
Applications for Energy Assistance to Be Accepted Monday
Pre-application packets were mailed to elderly, disabled and at-risk households in September that were approved in last year’s program. Packets are to be returned with the necessary paperwork to complete the application process. If you are scheduled for disconnection or services have already been disconnected, call and schedule an appointment for assistance.
Starke, Pulaski Heating Assistance Programs Begin Soon
Community Services of Starke County Doesn’t Anticipate Federal Funding Problems
With the ongoing debate over the federal budget, local organizations funded with federal dollars are getting nervous that the potential government shutdown – the first in 17 years – will affect agencies at a local level. Fortunately, at Community Services of Starke County, Executive Director Joan Haugh said she doesn’t expect the shutdown, if it does occur, to affect her funding much.
Local Organizations Feeling Pinch of Federal Funding Cuts
The effects of federal funding cuts are trickling down to the local agencies that deal with transportation for older residents and other services.
Community Services of Starke County Director Joan Haugh said the organization has incurred a 24.3 percent federal funding cut for transportation, which was before the sequester took effect. Elderly services, which include congregate meals, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, and restaurant voucher programs, have been cut by 12 percent.
Starke County Food Pantry Needs Your Donations
It’s time once again to rally together in support of Community Services of Starke County, helping them in their endeavor as they serve more than one-fifth of the county’s populations with their various services. Nearly 1000 families per month visit the food pantry, while 823 people utilize transportation regularly each month. More than 700 families sign up for energy assistance and many more make use of other services offered by the organization.
Pulaski, Starke Agencies Offer Free Devices for Low Vision Residents
Pulaski and Starke residents over the age of 55 who suffer from low vision and would like to receive assistive devices are encouraged to contact Pulaski County Human Services or Community Services of Starke County to receive free assistive devices. Jackie Frain, director of Pulaski County Human Services, told WKVI that they are offering a program for those with low vision to provide them with the devices, assisting them in staying independent in their homes.
“This is a very special opportunity for up to 20 individuals who are 55 or older by June 28 to participate in a minor assessment, mostly demographic information, and to receive an assistive device to help them stay independent in their home, such as magnifying glasses that are appropriate for their need or check-writers or talking alarm clocks – things that can just help them stay in their homes,” said Frain.
