Senior citizens’ group seeks more members, volunteers

Published 6:00 am Thursday, January 29, 2004

Volunteers with Lincoln County’s TRIAD organization are lookingto improve their already beneficial services to senior citizens inthe area.

During a monthly meeting Tuesday, TRIAD officials wereencouraged by Wayne Parker, director of the state’s LeadershipCouncil on Aging.

“I am going to continue to work with you to make thissuccessful,” he said. “Mississippi is very lucky. We’re veryfortunate because we are the only state that has an organizationlike the Leadership Council on Aging, and we’re the only state thatfunds TRIAD.”

Subscribe to our free email newsletter

Get the latest news sent to your inbox

TRIAD was created in 1988 by the American Association of RetiredPersons (AARP), the International Association of Chiefs of Policeand the national Sheriff’s Association. A resolution signed in 1994brought TRIAD to the state.

Local organizations involved in TRIAD include the BrookhavenPolice Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department and AARP.TRIAD is governed by a senior advisory council, Seniors and LawmenTogether (SALT).

Their mission is to promote a coordinated effort among lawenforcement, social service agencies and local communities toreduce crimes against senior citizens.

Through their work, senior citizens in the area have been ableto join the “Are you OK?” program and receive safety devices fortheir homes.

Grants and donations are used to purchase and install firealarms and peep holes in wooden or metal doors at senior citizens’homes. It is also used to place 911 address markers on the outsideof the residences.

“One of the biggest problems we run into is emergency servicestrying to find someone who does not have their 911 addressdisplayed,” said TRIAD president Charles R. Smith.

Addresses can be displayed on mailboxes, houses or white postsat the driveway. After the numbers are purchased by TRIAD, trustysfrom the Lincoln County Jail install them under the supervision ofa jail employee.

The peep holes and smoke alarms are installed by volunteers,something TRIAD is in great need of at this time.

“We really need some more volunteers to help with our projects,”said member Millard Smith.

In recent years, TRIAD has installed about 100 smoke alarms and100 peep holes and 500 address markers.

“Basically this is a volunteer program as far as workers areconcerned,” said Parker. “The leadership is what it takes to makethe program better. All I can see for ya’ll is bigger and betterthings.”

TRIAD receives $8,000 in funding from the state and can alsohold fund raisers and receive donations to bring in additionalmoney.

A spring and fall fling is held every year to provideeducational tools and entertainment for senior citizens in thearea.

The “Are you OK?” program is a relatively new way TRIAD isreaching out to senior citizens in the community.

Through this program, senior citizens can be contacted daily viatelephone to check on their well-being. If they do not answer thecall or if they request assistance, law enforcement officers aresent to their home.

At this time, only 40 people are signed up for the program, butTRIAD officials hope that as the word gets out more individualswill join.

TRIAD meetings are held at 9 a.m. every fourth Tuesday at theLincoln County Sheriff’s Office. TRIAD officers are Charles R.Smith, president; Angeline S. Roberson, vice-president; GladysDunaway, secretary; Monzola Banks, assistant secretary; Chief PapHenderson and Charles R. Smith, treasurers; and the Rev. BobbyHarris, chaplain.

Anyone interested in volunteering can call Charles R. Smith at883-1219 or Millard Smith at 833-3299.