The Township of Springfield presented a proclamation September 27 to congratulate SAGE Eldercare for its Meals on Wheels 50th anniversary. SAGE serves about 44,000 meals to nearly 250 clients annually in 10 communities, including Springfield.
The proclamation states, “Sincerest congratulations are hereby extended to SAGE Eldercare and the Meals on Wheels program that has been serving communities with professional and highly trained staff whom provide a wide array of information, support, and services designed to help older adults lead the most independent and active lives possible within their communities, and creating an amazing place to age.”
“On behalf of the Township Committee, I do hereby congratulate SAGE for 50 years of Meals on Wheels service and for their invaluable service to the township of Springfield and other surrounding communities,” said Mayor Jerry Fernandez.
SAGE Eldercare Board President Kitty Hartman and Executive Director Angela Sullivan received the proclamation at the September 27 Township Committee meeting. “What the Meals on Wheels program delivers is more than just a nutritious meal; it offers a friendly visit from a trusted friend and a watchful eye for the residents receiving meals. The Meals on Wheels program at SAGE is the first to be established in New Jersey and we can also boast that we had the longest-running Meals on Wheels volunteer, for 47 years, in the country. She will be honored posthumously at our Meals on Wheels celebration on November 30,” said Sullivan. “During our 50th anniversary, we are encouraging elected officials and community partners to come by as a guest volunteer for the mid-day run so that you may witness the amazing work that our volunteers and the program have been doing for 50 years. We thank the Springfield town administrator and police chief for already volunteering their time during our March for Meals campaign.”
A Springfield resident attending the meeting also spoke about SAGE. “My mom went to SAGE for many years and had Meals on Wheels delivered. It is a fabulous organization and I’d say to anyone who is a caregiver, it should be checked out. It really is a great organization,” Dorothy Linden said.
SAGE Eldercare is committed to being the leading provider of programs and services to meet the changing needs of older adults, their families, and caregivers throughout Union, Essex, Morris, and Somerset Counties. SAGE Eldercare began its Meals on Wheels in October 1966 with funding received from the Summit Junior League. Volunteers were recruited from various organizations such as the College Club, United Church Women, P.E.O., Red Cross, Women Pioneers of Bell Laboratories, and the Junior Fortnightly Club. For more information about SAGE Eldercare, please call 908.273.5550 or visit www.sageeldercare.org.