The Rural and Suburban Mail Couriers in the County are ready and willing to go the extra mile for seniors. Just for the asking, through a service offered by The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association, seniors can be reassured their mail couriers are keeping a friendly eye on them.

Lori Istead is one of the many Rural &
Suburban Mail Couriers in The County who are
ready to keep a friendly eye out for the seniors on their route.

Seniors need only contact Community Care to register for the Rural Route Reassurance Program. Once requested to do so, mail couriers keep an eye open for any signs that a senior might need help. In that event, the Rural and Suburban Mail Courier would contact Community Care, which would take the appropriate action as pre-arranged with the client. Orange flyers explaining the program will be sent to all rural routes on Tuesday, May 4th.

The year 2004 marks the 20th anniversary of this partnership program. The Rural Route Reassurance Program is an example of the spirit of co-operation of Canada Post Corporation, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), the Rural 'n Suburban Mail Couriers, and The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association. Debbie Moynes, executive director of Community Care enthused, "working together, all the partners help make Prince Edward County a safer place for seniors to stay living at home in the community." Colleen Cremasco, president of the Belleville Local of CUPW says, "I believe that the CUPW is proud to be part of our members' act of kindness by helping with this program. These are the values our union was built on."

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association provides community support services to eligible seniors and adults with physical disabilities who reside in Prince Edward. Services include Telephone Reassurance, transportation to medical and other appointments, hot and frozen Meals on Wheels, seniors' dinners, foot care clinics, and assistance with forms. A flyer explaining the Rural Route Reassurance Program will soon be delivered to all who reside on a rural mail route in Prince Edward. For information on these and other programs call Prince Edward Community Care at 476-7493, stop in at the office located at The Armoury, 206 Main Street, Picton, or check the website at www.communitycareforseniors.org