GREENFIELD — The local crime-prevention and wellness initiative aimed at protecting senior citizens’ safety and welfare is asking for donations to help elders enjoy the upcoming holiday.
TRIAD’s annual Easter ham fundraiser supplied 380 hams to Franklin County seniors and families last year and hopes to boost that number to 400 this time around. A $25 donation can purchase an Easter dinner for a senior or family in need.
“We try to purchase 400 hams, then we … give them to the senior centers and they distribute them,” TRIAD Supervisor Ray Zukowski explained. “Right now, we’re shopping around with the stores — [we] try to get the best deal. We like to stay local.
“I’m getting some good, positive pricing,” he added.
Tax-deductible donations can be made out to TRIAD UNIT and mailed to: TRIAD Unit, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, 160 Elm St., Greenfield, MA 01301. Distribution is planned for March 30. Easter falls on April 5 this year.
“We get great support from the sheriff and the administration,” Zukowski noted.
Lori Streeter is approaching her second Easter as interim sheriff.
“I think it’s obviously an amazing program,” she said of the fundraiser. “I think it’s just another example of how involved we are in the community and how that needs to continue to support the infrastructure of the county in and of itself.”
TRIAD also assists senior citizens with obtaining necessary medical equipment — such as wheelchairs, walkers and hospital beds — and with covering heating costs. According to Zukowski, TRIAD has responded to at least 500 calls from Franklin County seniors so far this year.
