News Release  March 13, 2009

Chauna Aguilar - Okeechobee News  

   Foster grandparents learn to grow their own ‘garden in a pot’

 

Foster Grandparents (back row-left to right) Mary Riley, Linda Padgett, Margaret Froggett, Ana Trimble, (front row-left to right) Bonnie Durbin, Sally Lucas, Lucille Curtiss, Angela Sachson - FYN Program Assistant, Sue Enyeart and Margorie Lapp learned how to “garden in a pot” from Angela Sachson, the Okeechobee Extension Office.   Photo: Okeechobee News/ Chauna Aguilar

Foster Grandparents gathered at the Episcopal Church of Our Savior for their monthly meeting Tuesday where Flori­da Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Master Gardener Angela Sachson spoke to all the foster grandparents about how to “garden in a pot” to grow your own vegetables for your family. 

Mrs. Sachson taught the foster grandparents how to plant their own tomatoes in a pot. This skill is especially helpful due to the economic times ­­having the ability to grow food for your family is a plus.

 

The Foster Grandparent Program has been a viable pro­gram that helps schools by providing an extra set of hands for the local teachers.

The Area Agency on Aging sponsors the Foster Grandparent Program which covers Okeechobee, St. Lucie, Ft. Pierce, Martin and Palm Beach counties. 

Mentors volunteer at least 20 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, and are compensated but the pay does not affect the amount of their benefits. To qualify one must be 60 years old or older and be in a low income bracket. The ideal volunteer should be interested in helping children, as that is the primary goal of this program. 

Foster grandparents assist the teachers in the classrooms by doing groups with different levels of students, one- on- one remediation and many other tasks where the teachers need help.

They are usually assigned to one classroom, but are open to assist wherever their school may need them. 

As a foster grandparent you will:

• Volunteer 20 hours per week in a school or child care center mentoring children and helping with reading and social skills.

• Receive $53 per week to help with expenses

• Receive mileage allowance and a free meal at your assign­ment.

• Receive supplemental accident and liability insurance coverage.

• Receive a wealth of satisfaction.

 The Foster Grandparent Program is looking for more volunteers to assist in the local elementary schools and headstarts. Grandparents, both male and female, are greatly needed. There will be a spring training course in Okeechobee and there are monthly training sessions at the meetings held locally.
  

For information call the Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-684­5885; or go to www.myanswersonaging.org

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