By Jane Keller Gordon, Contributing Writer
Grafton – Celebrating its 36th anniversary, Friends of Grafton Elders’ (FOGE, pronounced fou-gee) will hold its second annual fundraising luncheon Sunday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Highfields Golf and Country Club in Grafton. This year’s event will honor Grafton resident Alice Miller.
Last year’s luncheon, honoring FOGE founder Winnie Paul, raised over $5,000.
FOGE’s mission is to, “… help ensure that all of Grafton’s Senior Citizens can enjoy a good quality of life… by providing financial support for various senior programs.”
Annual FOGE membership starts at a $10 tax-deductible contribution.
Marsha Platt, chair of FOGE’s board, said, “We are here to help seniors in Grafton manage to stay in their own homes. The (Grafton Senior Center) staff identifies need, and we provide support.”
FOGE sponsors programs, events, and excursions held at and organized by the Grafton Senior Center. In some instances, FOGE has provided seniors with heating fuel and other forms of assistance.
Heather Truedell, board member and vice president of FOGE said, “I joined FOGE because I think it is critical that there be intergenerational support for our senior community. My hope is to foster involvement from younger generations to create a support network for our seniors here in Grafton.”
As for this year’s honoree, Miller and her husband Robert chose to retire in Grafton in 2006. She grew up in Boylston, and has lived in many parts of Massachusetts. Together, Alice and her husband have 10 grandchildren.
When she retired from her job at the Natick Defense Department, Soldier Systems Center, Miller and her husband spent seven weeks travelling cross-country by motorcycle.
“Upon arriving home … I wondered what else I would do for excitement during retirement,” Miller said. “I read an ad in the ‘Grafton News’ for Meals on Wheels volunteers.”
“I decided to give that a try and in November 2006 was put on the regular monthly schedule to deliver once a week. Now 10-plus years later, I deliver between four and six times a month and still enjoy it very much.”
As for other parts of Miller’s life, she said, “[Robert and I] don’t take motorcycle trips now, but do enjoy traveling.”
The FOGE party will feature food, a cash bar, music, raffles for assorted prizes, and a cash raffle for a drawing that will be held during the month of February. There are many corporate sponsors, and donors to the raffles.
For more information about FOGE visit www.fogeinc.org.
Luncheon tickets may be purchased at the Senior Center office or by mail at P.O. Box 186, Grafton MA 01519.
