Moorestown, NJ Couple Takes A Village Approach To Helping Neighbors In Need
By Michelle Durham
MOORESTOWN, N.J. (CBS) -- A South Jersey couple committed to public service and change is marshaling members of their community to reach and out give area seniors the help they need to live independently in their own homes.
After reading a newspaper article about the concept dubbed "It Takes A Village" being developed in other communities across the country, Trudi Herman and her husband Irv decided to start a chapter serving Moorestown and Mt. Laurel.
"To try to help people, perhaps older people, stay in their homes as long as possible," Trudi explains. "Maybe a returning vet comes through and needs something during the day. And when we get the insurance, (we'll be able to) drive people to doctors -- that will be a big part of it," she tells KYW Newsradio.
And she says many others in her community have been willing to help.
"Mary Ann Bigelow, from the Haddonfield Interfaith Caregivers, had a group. They are actually young women, not working (but) with young children, and they are able to pick up groceries and run errands."
Herman says the goal now is to raise money for the insurance, and to recruit more volunteers:
"So we go to the park with our little brochures."
Those interested in volunteering can send an e-mail to ItTakesAVillageNJ@gmail.com. The group's next meeting is Wednesday, May 16th, from 7 to 8pm at the Moorestown library.
