Hillsborough County, Fla. (May 24, 2024) - Hillsborough County Aging Services honored two volunteers this week for their dedication and contribution of numerous hours to assist staff and clients at the County's senior and dining centers.
Aging Services presented Eula Banks and Luis Rivera the 2024 Hillsborough County Community Service and Volunteerism Award on Thursday, May 23, at the Oaks at Riverview Senior Center, 101 E. Kirby St., Tampa, FL 33604.
The event celebrated Older Americans Month, and it recognized senior volunteers who have made significant contributions to Hillsborough County Aging Services and their communities.
Luis Rivera is an active member of the Tampa Baptist Manor Dining Center. Since 2017, he has volunteered 1,742 hours. He has been involved in brainstorming ideas for center and program improvements. He has spent multiple days and hours reaching out to local sponsors to collect donations to support the Tampa Baptist Manor Dining Center. Rivera is highly involved in planning and coordinating the events at the Tampa Baptist Manor Dining Center. He joined the advisory committee at Tampa Baptist Manor to get more involved.
Rivera started a daily coffee club, calling it Cubano Café. All the early risers at Tampa Baptist Manor have gotten behind it. Rivera is also a member of the Friday walking club where he gets members moving. When they aren't out walking, Rivera is directing a daily yoga squad.
Eula Banks retired in 2017 from Hillsborough County Aging Services after 36 years of service. She has been volunteering at the Silver Tree Senior Apartments Dining Facility since 2019. She is known for being dependable, efficient, proficient, and gracious. At the Silver Tree Senior Apartments Dining Facility, Banks gets the meals prepped and ready to serve. She also helps clients who may need additional assistance.
Banks participates in active aging games that help to create socialization and conversation between clients. When there's a need for a volunteer at another center, she's one of the first to volunteer.
Banks has volunteered more than 1,508 service hours at Silver Tree Senior Apartments Dining Facility.
Hillsborough County Aging Services offers a number of programs and services that benefit seniors and caregivers in Hillsborough County.
Hillsborough County Senior Centers
Hillsborough County Aging Services has seven senior centers throughout Hillsborough County where older adults are provided activities and meals. The Hillsborough County Senior Centers serve as a focal point for seniors to gather, learn, and enjoy free activities designed for today's active seniors. Programs include lifelong learning classes, photography workshops, sewing classes, painting club, jewelry-making class, gardening club, billiards, chess club, fitness classes, ping-pong club, Yoga class, Tai-Chi class, table games, and more. Activities are for adults ages 50 and over. Adults who are 60 and over may qualify for a noon-time meal.
Adult Day Services
Hillsborough County Adult Day Services offers comprehensive health, social, supportive, and therapeutic services for functionally impaired seniors in a community-based setting. Adult Day Services has four locations in Hillsborough County, which include Tampa, Brandon, Plant City, and Wimauma. Each location is designed to help families whose loved ones wish to remain at home as long as possible, but often struggle with providing care.
Adult Day Services are for Hillsborough County residents ages 60 and older who have decreased physical, mental, or social functions. Each center offers nurses who provide health monitoring and counseling, therapeutic activities, nutrition counseling, social work counseling, meals and snacks, and assistance with medication administration.
Senior In-Home Services
Senior In-Home Services provide services in the home for adults over 60 who are functionally impaired and need assistance with everyday activities. These services are provided on a long-term basis. The services can include respite care for the caregiver, companionship for the client, consumable medical supplies, emergency alert response, home-delivered meals, homemaking, personal care, and lock boxes for seniors who live alone or are alone during the day.
To learn more or to sign up for Aging Services programs, visit HCFL.gov/Aging or call (813) 272-5250.