“We have one on St. Patrick’s Day, we do a summer barbecue and then there is the Christmas party,” said Shirley Parker, a board member with the group. “Many people don’t realize that the Council on Aging is a town department and they can’t do any fundraising so that’s where we come in,” she said. To raise funds, the all-volunteer group relies heavily on the goodwill of the townspeople.
The group also holds a pie sale at the Seaport coffee shop in the spring, has a crafts booth at the annual Harbor Days festival and sells Dine Out coupon books. The town has had a Friends of the Elderly group for a number of years, Ms. Parker said, and other towns are taking notice. “Fairhaven is trying to start their own right now.
They have a board now and they are looking to get some money.” Board member Tony Rapoza, who is rapidly approaching his 83rd birthday, said the need for more services for the elderly is growing. “I know what we seniors need. I’m very fortunate, in that I am OK financially and physically but a lot of people in town do not have that capability. The holidays can be hard for some seniors who have lost so many loved ones. Bringing people together is what we like to do.
We want to do more but we have limited funds. But the people in Mattapoisett have always supported us and all the money we receive is spent in town.” Anyone wishing to make a donation to help Mattapoisett seniors can send a check made out to “Friends of the Elderly of Mattapoisett” to the Council on Aging, P.O. Box 508, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.