With high temperatures in Blount County, more requests have been made at Blount County Community Action Agency for assistance with air conditioners and fans.

Kay Garrison, CSBG Program Coordinator, and her staff receive scores of calls from people who have no way to keep cool in the extreme heat. Some have no air conditioner and some cannot afford to repair a broken one.

A plea was made through The Daily Times for people to donate fans, air conditioners, or donations to purchase them. We have been overwhelmed with the response from the Blount County community.

We received donations of over 19 air conditioners and over 30 fans along with monetary donations and those numbers keep growing.

There has also been wonderful support from Alcoa Wal-Mart who gave BCCAA reduced rates when purchasing air conditioners for this purpose.

Anyone wishing to make donations can call 983-8411 or just drop off fans, air conditioners, or money at the BCCAA office in the old Hubbard School, 3509 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville.

Those in need of fans or air conditioners can come by the office.

Anne Pfeiffer, Office on Aging Program Coordinator, retired on June 30, 2010 after 24 years with Blount County Community Action Agency.

Anne was recognized as an expert in the aging field not only in this county but throughout the region. She coordinated the Geriatric Screening Team and was also active in the Blount Senior Resource Network and the Blount County Council on Aging.

Her expertise was demonstrated in the daily calls she received from seniors and families for information and assistance. She also developed the Homemaker Program to serve low income seniors.

Anne’s expertise has also been seen in the six editions of the Senior Services Directory which she produced for Blount County seniors and their families.

She will be greatly missed.

Sharon Russell began her position as Office on Aging Program Coordinator on July 6, 2010 and brings a wealth of experience from her six years at Knoxville-Knox County CAC Office on Aging where she was Program Manager for Senior Citizens Information & Referral Service and East Tennessee 2-1-1.

She has a vast knowledge of resources, aging issues, and preparation of a Senior Service Directory and BCCAA is fortunate to have her join our staff.

Contact Sharon for information and assistance with aging or resource questions.

The Blount County Community Action Agency has a new Senior Nutrition Program Coordinator. Our former Coordinator, Colleen Brzuchalski, transferred into another position within the Agency leaving a vacancy in this position.

On June 20, 2010, Karen Koch begin her employment as our Senior Nutrition Program Coordinator and will oversee the homebound and congregate meals for Blount County as well as the kitchen staff who prepare and serve the meals and our volunteers who deliver our meals.

Karen is a Certified Dietary Manager and brings numerous years of experience as General Manager of a cafeteria in Florida along with 10 years of experience as Food Service Director for a senior retirement community in Florida.

For the past three years, Karen has been employed in Food Service with Blount County Schools.

We are excited to add Sharon Russell and Karen Koch to our Blount County Community Action Agency staff and to be available to assist the aging community in Blount County.