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Jack Futrick

Jack Futrick

Jack Futrick has been a Blair Senior Services, Inc. volunteer for the past 13 years.

Jack started his volunteer work with Blair Senior Services, Inc. Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  Jack stated, “Well, when you are retired it can be challenging to find things to do. I had taken a tax course many years earlier so I thought it was a good place to start.”  In addition to VITA, Jack now volunteers for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program through Blair Senior Services.

Jack helps prepare consumers’ taxes through the VITA program during the tax season at our Northern Blair Senior Center location. If eligible, Jack will also assist consumers with Property and/or Rent Rebates after preparing their tax return.  For the Farmers’ Market program, he interviews the consumers to see if they qualify and, if so, will issue the Farmers’ Market vouchers to them.  With the Commodity Box program, he verifies the consumer’s or proxy’s identity and obtains signatures to confirm the consumer’s box was picked up for the month. At the time of recertification, he assists by checking ID and confirming income eligibility.  “They are such great programs that really help the older adults in the area,” Jack said.

When asked what he liked the most about volunteering for Blair Senior Services, “I love to meet the people and when I am done helping them just the smiles on their face.  The complete gratitude they have is such a great reward.  I like meeting so many new people also,” Jack said.  One special memory he has is of a woman who came in to have her taxes done. Jack explained, “Once I was done with her taxes and she saw how much she would be getting back in a refund, and the fact she wasn’t charged for the taxes being done, she started to cry with appreciation. I will never forget how grateful she was.”

    Jack said they are always in need of help with the VITA program and all the volunteer programs at Blair Senior Services, Inc.  “You should try volunteering.  Such a rewarding feeling knowing you are helping others,” he said.    

If you or your group is interested in volunteering for this program or any of the programs offered, please call Blair Senior Services, Inc. at 814-946-1235.

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05/20/2021

​Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Aging today announced that older adults who will soon be turning 65 and are not yet enrolled in Medicare can attend a free virtual event to learn about their healthcare coverage options when enrolling for Medicare.

 

The "Welcome to Medicare" event on June 23, open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., will feature national presentations from the State Health Insurance Assistance Programs on Medicare eligibility, enrollment and coverage options. Representatives will be available to answer questions and assist older adults with information to enable them to make choices on Medicare coverage that best meets their needs and lowers their costs.

 

In Pennsylvania, this program is known as APPRISE. Throughout the national presentation, staff from APPRISE will host an exhibit for Pennsylvania and will respond to Medicare questions and provide information about the program. The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) – Pennsylvania's Senior Medicare Patrol – also will join APPRISE to discuss Medicare fraud prevention.

 

"We encourage anyone who is turning 65 soon to join our Virtual Welcome to Medicare Fair. Pennsylvania's Medicare Counseling Program is here to help older adults learn about signing up and navigating the complexities of Medicare, avoiding late enrollment penalties, and preventing fraud," said Susan Neff, APPRISE director. "We also invite those who attend to visit the Pennsylvania-specific virtual exhibit at any time during the event. The APPRISE and CARIE staff look forward to chatting with seniors about their Medicare enrollment concerns."

 

Older adults can register for this event here

 

The APPRISE Program has nearly 800 trained counselors in the commonwealth who provide free, confidential, objective, and easy-to-understand information about original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, and Medicare Supplement plans, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and determine what best meets their needs and save them money.

To learn more about the APPRISE Program or becoming a volunteer, click here or call the APPRISE Helpline at 1-800-783-7067 .

MEDIA CONTACT: Jack Eilber, agingcomms@pa.gov

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Department Of Aging: June 23 Medicare Event Welcomes Future Beneficiaries With Information On Eligibility, Coverage Options