Impact
When partner agencies report outcomes to the Community Investment Committee, they’re asked to share a story that our marketing committee can utilize as well. While every story shared tugs at the heartstrings, one stood out in particular to us this year.
“Mary* lost her MO Rx Senior discount back in June, as did much of the senior low income population. She needed assistance due to the high cost of the drug, Azilect, prescribed for her Parkinson’s disease. Mary feared that without assistance, she would no longer be financially stable due to the cost of the medicine. It was feared she would need assistance with paying her rent each month, in turn eventually making her unable to afford a place to stay. A.P.P.L.E. staff members found the manufacturer’s pharmacy assistance program and assisted her in filling out the application and gathering the information requested by the program. Recently, the program learned Mary was approved for assistance and no longer has to worry about adjusting her budget to pay full price for her needed medication.”
September is always a busy month for United Way and our partner agencies. Schools are finishing up the first quarter of the year, the holidays are fast approaching and campaign season is in full force. The popular Safe House Vintage Now Fundraiser is being planned, Scouting organizations have organized new troops, Read to Succeed volunteers have started working with local students, and Lutheran Family & Children’s Services have identified houses for their annual holiday home tour. Another organization that continues to have a busy fall is A.P.P.L.E. Paperwork Services, although it may not be something United Way donors and community members are aware of.
A.P.P.L.E. is a comprehensive paperwork service whose goal is to help older adults maintain independence and a good quality of life. They do so by providing seniors 60 and over with counseling, advocacy, education, and direct assistance with their paperwork needs.
Currently, A.P.P.L.E. is gearing up for Medicare drug plan open enrollment. This is an opportunity for individuals to look at their current drug plan and others available to determine what works best for their needs. Thanks to United Way donors, A.P.P.L.E. plans to host events throughout Southeast Missouri that are open to the public and provide assistance when looking at the various Medicare plans.
The following sites take walk-ins only. For the events please bring a list of prescription medications, the dosage and how many times a day it’s taken as well as your Medicare card.
- October 19 at the Perryville Senior Center 4 N Spring St in Perryville 10am
- October 24 at Hoover Center at Southeast Missouri State University 1pm(private)
- October 25 at the Altenburg Senior Center 200 Church St in Altenburg 1030
- October 26 at the Cape Senior Center 921 N Clark St, Cape Girardeau 10am
- October 31 at the Jackson Senior Center 2690 Travelers Way, Jackson 1030am
- November 7 at the Scott City Senior Center 105 W Hickory, Scott City 1030
- November 8 at Jackson Senior Center 32690 Travelers Way, Jackson 1030
- November 16 at Perryville Senior Center 4 N Spring St in Perryville 10am
In-office appointments can be made by contact the A.P.P.L.E. office at 573-651-5467.
*Names were changed for confidentiality purposes.
