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Reflections in the Park
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Features This Month!
Read about medical tips on our Health Page: Click Here
Take a look back with our pictures from "Down Memory Lane" on our Culture page: Click here
Read about all the events happening around the Tri-States: Click Here
Get a Laugh from our Comics and Games on our Activities Page: Click Here
Take a look back with our pictures from "Down Memory Lane" on our Culture page: Click here
Read about all the events happening around the Tri-States: Click Here
Get a Laugh from our Comics and Games on our Activities Page: Click Here
DuRide Keeps People Connected
and Independent
by Greg Orwoll,
Executive Director, DuRide
Debbie and Jean
What happens 10,000 times every day in the United States? Someone turns 65 years old.
DuRide serves members aged 65 and older in Dubuque, East Dubuque, and Asbury. DuRide allows people to stay connected with family and friends, remain independent, provide for their own health care and community engagement, and allow a social network. “I don’t know what I would do without DuRide. I would have to sell my house and move to assisted living,” said a long-time member.
The first year, DuRide provided 57 rides. Today DuRide provides 800 or more rides a month. There are currently 261 members, and 148 volunteers. Half of all rides are for medical care, and the rest are for social outings, shopping, church, dining out, art and culture events, volunteer work, and many more all contribute to the health and well-being of our members.
DuRide serves members aged 65 and older in Dubuque, East Dubuque, and Asbury. DuRide allows people to stay connected with family and friends, remain independent, provide for their own health care and community engagement, and allow a social network. “I don’t know what I would do without DuRide. I would have to sell my house and move to assisted living,” said a long-time member.
The first year, DuRide provided 57 rides. Today DuRide provides 800 or more rides a month. There are currently 261 members, and 148 volunteers. Half of all rides are for medical care, and the rest are for social outings, shopping, church, dining out, art and culture events, volunteer work, and many more all contribute to the health and well-being of our members.
Bev and Wally
Volunteers Drive DuRide
Volunteers are always needed. The satisfaction that comes from helping our members is immeasurable. Please contact us today. All rides are provided by volunteers driving their own vehicle. Since 2008 volunteers have driven approximately 1.1 million miles! No special license, insurance, or training is required to be a volunteer. DuRide does a background check on each volunteer and an orientation, but beyond that, it is no different than giving a neighbor a ride. Volunteering is flexible. There are no firm schedules nor minimum rides required, and the typical volunteer provides about 7 rides a month. A volunteer decides each day if they can provide a ride or two, and most rides are just a drop off. A different volunteer will pick them up when they’re done. Each ride is one person at a time, door to door and volunteers can assist with a steadying arm when needed. “I have volunteered for many things, but I have never been thanked so many times as I am with DuRide,’ said one volunteer. “It is my way of paying my good fortunes forward.”
Members pay a $45 a year membership fee, and $12 round trip and they pay a monthly invoice. No money changes hands with the driver. An Income Support Program, for those who qualify for any public assistance provides half price rides for non-medical rides, and free medical rides.
DuRide is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and donations for over half the budget. Contributions are tax deductible. Contact DuRide at www.duride.org or at 563-451-4999 for information on donating, volunteering, or becoming a member.
Volunteers are always needed. The satisfaction that comes from helping our members is immeasurable. Please contact us today. All rides are provided by volunteers driving their own vehicle. Since 2008 volunteers have driven approximately 1.1 million miles! No special license, insurance, or training is required to be a volunteer. DuRide does a background check on each volunteer and an orientation, but beyond that, it is no different than giving a neighbor a ride. Volunteering is flexible. There are no firm schedules nor minimum rides required, and the typical volunteer provides about 7 rides a month. A volunteer decides each day if they can provide a ride or two, and most rides are just a drop off. A different volunteer will pick them up when they’re done. Each ride is one person at a time, door to door and volunteers can assist with a steadying arm when needed. “I have volunteered for many things, but I have never been thanked so many times as I am with DuRide,’ said one volunteer. “It is my way of paying my good fortunes forward.”
Members pay a $45 a year membership fee, and $12 round trip and they pay a monthly invoice. No money changes hands with the driver. An Income Support Program, for those who qualify for any public assistance provides half price rides for non-medical rides, and free medical rides.
DuRide is a non-profit organization that relies on grants and donations for over half the budget. Contributions are tax deductible. Contact DuRide at www.duride.org or at 563-451-4999 for information on donating, volunteering, or becoming a member.
Kate and Bernie
Plug Into These Electrical Safety Hints From the Experts
Photo by Thalia Ruiz on UnSplash
ESFi offers Twelve Holiday Safety Tips to keep your home protected from household electrical fires during the season of decoration.
1. Keep decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources — especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. And remember to blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
2. The best decorations are safe decorations, so when you are decorating, make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks.
3. If you have a natural Christmas tree water it to keep it fresh and safe. Real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all. Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage.
4. Always turn off your decorations when you leave your home and when you're sleeping. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.
5. Be mindful of how you are using electrical outlets. If you're using extension cords or adapters that add receptacles, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home. Extension cords are a common cause of home fires.
6. Only use electronics in dry areas. As tempting as it is, you just can't decorate your aquarium with icicle lights.
7. Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand. We all love falling asleep to the muffled crooning of Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, but overheated electronics under pillows and blankets are dangerous.
8. Need a perfect gift idea? How about a smoke alarm? Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, including the basement. And remember to test your own to make sure they're working.
9. If you're using a space heater, switch it off before leaving the room. It only takes seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with something combustible, like a blanket or curtains.
10. Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. Talk to your aunt about that life-sized Elvis-dressed-as-Santa statue — it's falling apart, it's creepy, it's got to go.
11. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets. Eating a battery can be deadly.
12. The best gift for your family is to upgrade to arc-fault circuit interrupter breakers or outlets. It is estimated that half of the electrical fires that occur every year could be prevented by AFCIs. All upgrades should be completed by a qualified electrician.
Visit esfi.org for a ton of information on keeping your home and workplace safe. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace.
© 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
1. Keep decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources — especially those with an open flame, like fireplaces and candles. And remember to blow out your candles when you leave the room or go to sleep.
2. The best decorations are safe decorations, so when you are decorating, make sure not to run cords under rugs or furniture, out of windows, or across walkways and sidewalks.
3. If you have a natural Christmas tree water it to keep it fresh and safe. Real trees can dry up and turn into kindling in no time at all. Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage.
4. Always turn off your decorations when you leave your home and when you're sleeping. Most deadly fires happen while people are asleep.
5. Be mindful of how you are using electrical outlets. If you're using extension cords or adapters that add receptacles, consider having a qualified electrician add more outlets to your home. Extension cords are a common cause of home fires.
6. Only use electronics in dry areas. As tempting as it is, you just can't decorate your aquarium with icicle lights.
7. Remember that phones and tablets should stay on your nightstand. We all love falling asleep to the muffled crooning of Bing Crosby and Michael Bublé, but overheated electronics under pillows and blankets are dangerous.
8. Need a perfect gift idea? How about a smoke alarm? Every home needs a working smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level, including the basement. And remember to test your own to make sure they're working.
9. If you're using a space heater, switch it off before leaving the room. It only takes seconds for a fire to start if a space heater tips over or comes in contact with something combustible, like a blanket or curtains.
10. Inspect your decorations and discard any that are damaged or worn out. Talk to your aunt about that life-sized Elvis-dressed-as-Santa statue — it's falling apart, it's creepy, it's got to go.
11. Keep batteries stored safely in their packaging and out of reach of anything that might try to eat them, like small children and pets. Eating a battery can be deadly.
12. The best gift for your family is to upgrade to arc-fault circuit interrupter breakers or outlets. It is estimated that half of the electrical fires that occur every year could be prevented by AFCIs. All upgrades should be completed by a qualified electrician.
Visit esfi.org for a ton of information on keeping your home and workplace safe. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is the premier nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to promoting electrical safety at home and in the workplace.
© 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.
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