By Debbie Rogers
Smile, seniors, you’re going to be on Zelle.
The money transfer app company will be filming for a video on fraud at the Wood County Senior Center this fall.
Wood County Committee on Aging Director Denise Niese reported on the event at Wednesday’s board meeting.
Niese said that Zelle is like Venmo and PayPal, in that it’s a way to send or accept money through an app.
Zelle is working with National Council on Aging to do a video that can be used as a webinar on fraud education, she said.
“We are one of two sites — the other is in Arlington, Illinois — that have been selected to have a film crew come out and do a video, an educational piece,” Niese said.
The Zelle crew will be at the senior center on Oct. 26.
“We would like a big crowd so we represent Wood County well,” Niese said.
Also at the meeting, the board:
• Heard that staff prepared 630 meals for Senior Day, which was Thursday at the Wood County Fair; all but three were claimed.
• Heard that the strategic plan continues to progress, with the next step being a questionnaire to stakeholders.
• Heard Niese report that a grant has been used to complete 11 home repair projects for seniors. There is a $86,570 balance, but another six projects have been requested. The grant total was $115,000, and was through the Ohio Department of Aging, which got the money from American Rescue Plan Act.
• Heard Niese’s final report on COVID testing. The state contract with the lab is expiring and funding ended June 30, she said.
“We are no longer testing our unvaccinated staff but we do have home test kits available for all staff and seniors, upon request,” Niese said.
• Was asked to mark several dates on the calendar: Sept. 18 is the 90s Spectacular, Sept. 26 is a presentation for those who are turning 65 and need information on Medicare or those making changes to supplemental programs, and Nov. 13 is the Golden Care Awards, recognizing caregivers throughout the county.
• Heard open positions include the North Baltimore site manager and route driver and Rossford driver.
• Heard that the nominating committee will meet Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. There are five nominations. Nominations close Friday.
• Heard board member George Stossel report that the facilities committee is planning to visit the other senior center sites around the county this fall to assess needs.
• Heard that the advisory committee will meet Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.
