An effort to get smart tablets in the hands of local seniors to combat isolation brought on by the coronavirus pandemic is vying for up to $5,000 today through Friday.
The Aging Services Foundation of Boulder County wants to purchase refurbished smart tablets for senior centers and communities throughout Boulder County. The tablets will be loaded with message and video apps, e-books and links to community resources. They would be stored in secure kiosks and are intended to get into the hands of low-income older adults.
To raise money, the Aging Services Foundation is participating in the fifth annual GIVE65 crowd-fundraising event that began at 4 a.m. today and runs 65 hours until 9 p.m. Friday. All participating nonprofits are eligible for up to $5,000 in matching grants as part of the Home Instead Senior Foundation program that is matching up to $125,000. Last year, over $600,000 was raised for more than 100 participating organizations around the country.
Rainbow Elders of Boulder County in its July newsletter urged its subscribers to get behind the effort of its fellow nonprofit, stating “Even a $10 donation makes a difference.”
“Many Boulder County residents who are 60+ are experiencing significant degrees of loneliness and social isolation due to stay-at-home orders,” Rainbow Elders stated in its newsletter. “This disconnection is also a serious public health problem because it leads to heightened risk of cardiovascular problems, depression and anxiety.”
The Aging Services Foundation raises money and partners with area agencies on aging to fill gaps in services that benefit older adults and family caregivers.
Rainbow Elders, a program managed through the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, represents Boulder County LGBTQ+ older adults and their allies. It also established Rainbow Connections between volunteers and LGBTQ+ members of the community. Those who feel they could benefit from being matched with a volunteer, or know someone who could, are encouraged to email [email protected].
