Special Thanksgiving Edition, November, 2023
We here at the Council have so much for which to be thankful. To start, we offer our heartfelt appreciation to the individuals, businesses and voters who supported the Senior Services Levy renewal efforts over the last few months. The levy renewal, which passed with 64% of the votes, ensures funding for the Council will continue through 2029. These funds support the Council and the many programs and services offered, as well as the nine senior centers receiving grant funding from the Council.

Thanksgiving is a time to count our blessings and feel grateful. It’s easy to feel grateful for the good things, but for our neighbors experiencing loss, going through difficult times, and/or worrying about those for whom they care, feeling grateful is challenging.
It is important to make a distinction between feeling grateful and being grateful. We don’t have total control over our emotions.
We cannot make ourselves feel grateful, less depressed, or happy. Feelings follow from the way we look at the world, thoughts about the way things are and the way things should be, and the distance between these two points.

But being grateful is a choice, a prevailing attitude that endures and is relatively immune to the gains and losses that flow in and out of our lives.

When disaster strikes, gratitude provides a perspective from which we can view life in its entirety and not be overwhelmed by temporary circumstances.

For Your Council, we are so grateful for all the wonderful seniors and caregivers we interact with. We give thanks for the generosity of our volunteers and helpers. We think of the good people in our community and give thanks to you all for supporting our mission.
The "first Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days and was attended by 90 Native American Wampanoag people and the 53 survivors of the Mayflower (Pilgrims).

Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This is a holiday where many people express their thanks and gratitude.
Looking for a unique gift?

Stroll through a winter wonderland filled with twinkling lights, gingerbread villages, glimmering trees, delightful gifts and treats. The air is filled with familiar holiday music. Friendly faces greet you with a smile. It is the GCCOA Annual Holiday Gift Soirée.

All creations and treats are made by your Council’s talented team and wonderful volunteers. All proceeds to be used for future senior and caregiver programs and services.
November is National Family Caregivers Month
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 56 million adults ages 65 and older live in the United States, accounting for about 16.9% of the nation's population.

The 2020 update* reveals an increase in the number of family caregivers in the United States of 9.5 million from 2015 to 2020. Family caregivers now encompass more than one in five Americans.
*National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP

The Greene County Council on Aging supports caregivers. In addition to monthly support groups, a newsletter, and a weekly radio segment, the Council can provide resource information and someone to talk to.
Radio
Partners In Caregiving radio segment is presented each Thursday evening around 6:05pm on RealRootsRadio with Roy Hatfield WBZI 100.3 FM / 1500 AM

Caregivers Support Groups
1st & 3rd Monday each month at 6pm, First Presbyterian Church, 314 Xenia Ave, Yellow Springs

1st Tuesday of month at 11:30am, GCCOA Xenia office

2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 9:30 am, Peace Lutheran Church, 3530 Dayton-Xenia Rd, Beavercreek
In Care of You is the monthly newsletter for caregivers.

Parkinson’s Support Group 3rd Wednesdays, 10:30am, Xenia Community Center

Kinship Support Group 2nd Tuesdays, 10:30am, Council office
◊ Medicare Open Enrollment
       October 15th through December 7th

◊ Thanksgiving
       Council office is closed November 23rd and 24th

◊ Holiday Gift Soirée 
       Wednesday, November 29th, 11:00am-5:30pm, Xenia Community Center  

◊ Medicare 101
       Wednesday, December 13th, 2:30-4:00pm, Xenia Community Center

◊ Grief & Loss Group
       2nd Monday of each month, 10:00 am - Noon, Peace Lutheran Church, Beavercreek

◊ Caregiver, Parkinson’s & Kinship Support Groups
       Contact the Council for more information

◊ Weekly Programming with our Partners at Real Roots Radio, WBZI FM 100.3:
Boomers and Beyond on Wednesdays around 12:05pm
Partners in Caregiving on Thursdays soon after 6:00pm

To ensure you receive information and alerts, sign up for our various mailing lists, or send us your email address, and like us on Facebook.
 
For more information on any of these events, or to make a reservation, contact us at yourfriends@gccoa.org, or 937-376-5486.

We have several mailing lists tailored to specific interests, from special events to educational programs, and more. Click here to select which mailings you receive.
Greene County Council on Aging
937-376-5486
Committed to Seniors and Caregivers
Our mission: To promote independence and quality of life for Greene County senior citizens and caregivers by facilitating and supporting the development, implementation and continual improvement of a comprehensive and coordinated system of contact and care.