Living independently in Lewes

While I am able to enjoy my independent living now, I know I will eventually need help.

About seven years ago, a group of local women looked beyond the inevitable gray hair in the mirror and foresaw a plan for their future. They postured: If we want to live independently as long as possible, let's find volunteers to help one another. They quickly adopted the model of creating an aging-in-place village in which volunteers assist members with the nonmedical tasks of daily living.

Founder Jackie Finer and other founding board members including local activist Barbara Vaughan opened their volunteer nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization called The Greater Lewes Community Village Nov. 1, 2013. Their initial hope was to recruit 40 members.

Five years later, they have 159 members and more than 100 volunteers who can drive members, run errands, hang pictures, balance a checkbook and/or work in the GLCV office. GLCV is a recipient of the 2017 Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Here's how it works: An individual 55 or older can become a full-service member for an annual $500 fee. Households pay $750 a year. A reduced $100 fee is available for those who make less than $24,000 annually.

President Marty D'Erasmo became involved because she wanted to do something that would make a difference in the community. There is an opportunity to become a supporting member for $250 per year.

"These are individuals who really like what we stand for and want to participate," explains D'Erasmo. "These are the people who want to get to know us before they need us."

Deb Dobransky, a retired nurse from Philadelphia, and Ketty Bennett, a retired schoolteacher from Pennsylvania, are two of the volunteers who sometimes work in the office.

"I enjoy meeting different people, hearing stories about the town, and being able to help others," explains Deb.

"I help run errands for a former realtor who has taught me the back roads of Sussex County and the history of Lewes, too," laughs Ketty. "We took several people to Winter WonderFest last Christmas. Our spacious office held a Christmas party, and sponsors a book club and lots of other events."

Volunteers must fill out an application, have an interview and pass a security check. D'Erasmo explains, "At the interview, we like to get to know the person and together work with them to determine what they would most like to do and are best suited for. Some people prefer to serve as drivers, while others might be willing to help someone with a computer issue. The most requested service is transportation."

Additional services might include grocery shopping, respite for a caregiver, taking down screens, turning a mattress, providing companionship and checking smoke alarms, to name a few. Members who live alone can ask for a daily phone call to check to see if they are OK.

GLCV has one paid employee, Executive Director Jackie Sullivan, who is the connection to the communities served, which include all of Lewes, Milton and Rehoboth Beach. Jackie is responsible for collaborating with other organizations that work with older adults; she also recruits volunteers, and manages the operations that serve the members.

If you want to volunteer or become a member, call 302-703-2568 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, or email Lewesvillage@gmail.com. You can also visit the office at 16686 Kings Highway, Suite B in Lewes. Check out the website www.greaterlewescommunityvillage.org.