Did you know that Silver Key will provide transportation to†and from medical appointments for Black Forest†area residents?Did you know that†Silver Key will provide Meals on Wheels to Black Forest area residents over age†60?Did you know that†Silver Key will provide case management guidance and other services to†residents in the†Black Forest area?On Feb. 27, nine Black Forest AARP Chapter 1100 members toured the Silver Key operation in Colorado†Springs, which included lunch. The tour†guide was Lorri Orwig, the Silver Key chief development officer.†Lorri gave the group a†thorough tour of the†extensive Silver Key facility. This†included their offices, meeting facilities, the case†management area, food†pantry and thrift shop; th tour concluded with a delicious lunch in their dining†area.†She†also answered a host of†questions from the group about what Silver Key does and how they operate.† † † † ††The Silver Key mission is to maintain the†dignity of each client.†Silver Key†has helped more than†250,000 seniors since it was founded in 1971, with the goal†to help seniors in the Colorado Springs area and keep them from feeling isolated. Silver Key provides†transportation, nutrition and case†management services, and has a staff of 60-plus employees†and more than 600 volunteers.†Silver†Key provides annual services to about 7,000 clients, which includes more than 50,000 ride services. The on-site kitchen prepares all food for the 59,000 Meals on Wheels and†the almost†104,000 Golden Circle Meals provided annually.†In addition, federal food pantry programs and†emergency food†program boxes are provided to more than 1,000 individuals monthly.† † † † †Silver Key†coordinates services and collaborates with many different agencies in El Paso†County on behalf†of seniors.†Silver Key†also coordinates with a facility for teens with developmental disabilities by†training them†in food service skills. Chapter 1100 members were served a†robust lunch by these teens when we visited.† † † † †The volunteer-staffed Thrift Shop at 1605 S. Murray Blvd. is clean and well organized, and†includes†merchandise ranging from clothing, jewelry, furniture, and everything†between, at bargain process.††Also†included are durable health equipment, wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs,†bedside commodes, and chair lifts.† † † † ††Those†needing transportation assistance should call Silver Key at 719-884-2380 to†make reservations. The†Golden Circle†number to call is 719-884-2304.†(Call by†2 p.m. the day before if you need a meal.)††Case†managers will come out to Black Forest to assess the needs of a†senior who is unable to come to the Silver†Key Campus at 1605 S. Murray†Blvd. in Colorado Springs.†For more information about Silver†Key and their services, visit http://silverkey.org or call†719.884.2350.† † † † †Silver Key is a 501(c)(3)†charity.†All donations are tax†deductible.†They welcome people who want to volunteer their time or provide†donations to the†Thrift Shop.
