Woodbridge Human Services for September 2023

‍2023 Living Treasure Event

The Human Services Department will hold the 5^th annual Living Treasure Award event on September 14^th at 5:30 pm at The Woodbridge Center.  This year’s award recipients are Mary Lee Barker, Joseph Crisco, Matthew Giglietti, and Lynn Piascyk.  These four outstanding volunteers represent years of public service donated within many areas of the town.  They have served on and volunteered with boards, commissions, ad hoc committees, building committees, the Assumption Church, the Friends of the Woodbridge Library, the Historical Society, Beecher Road School, Amity High School, the Woodbridge Child Care Center, and the Woodbridge Father’s Baseball League (Beth-Wood Baseball).

This wonderful community-building event, which honors Woodbridge residents who have generously volunteered their time over many years, serves also as a fundraiser for The Woodbridge Center.  If you would like to honor the award-winners’ contributions to the town by attending the event on Thursday, September 14, please contact the Human Services Department to purchase tickets (203-389-3429) by September 7.  To donate items or gift cards to the silent auction please contact the department no later than September 8.

Four Vaccine Clinics

Human Services will host flu vaccine clinics this fall on October 2, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm, and on October 20, 10 am - 1 pm in the Center Building gymnasium.  The October 2 clinic will have Flu Block (a stronger dose for immunosuppressed individuals), high-dose (65+) and regular quadrivalent vaccines available.  Accepted insurances for the first clinic are Aetna, Aetna Medicare, Anthem Blue Cros/Blue Shield, and traditional Medicare.  Preregistration is required for each clinic.  Additionally, there will be two more clinics with access to multiple vaccines.  The newly formulated COVID vaccine (18+), RSV vaccine (60+), Shingles vaccine -Shingrix (50+), Pneumonia vaccine-Prevnar 20 (65+), as well as the flu vaccine will be available on October 30, 10 am - 4 pm and November 9 from 9:30 am – 1 pm in the Center Building gymnasium.  The October 20, October 30, and November 9 clinics will accept all insurances and there is a self-pay option as well.  Please call 203-389-3429 for registration or to check information on participating insurances.

Alzheimer’s Walk

Each year, Human Services and The Woodbridge Center sponsor a walk team for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s.  This year’s Greater New Haven walk will be held at Lighthouse Point Park on September 24.  The team, Motrin in Motion- Woodbridge, will walk locally, stepping out from Town Hall for a short walk around the Town campus on September 20 at noon.  Participants are asked to contribute $5.00 to join the walk.  Please visit the team’s page if you would like to contribute to their efforts at http://act.alz.org/goto/MotrininMotion-Woodbridge or you may send a check made payable to the Alzheimer’s Association to The Woodbridge Center.

Food Pantry

Residents in need may call for access to non-perishable food each month.  The food pantry currently needs donations of peanut butter, jams and jellies, canola/olive oils, shelf stable milk, coffee, oatmeal and cold cereal, canned chicken and hearty soups, snack foods, salad dressing, condiments, dish soap, deodorant, paper towels, cleaning sprays, laundry detergent, and gift cards for groceries.  Kindly check expiration dates prior to donating.

Annual Food Drive

Please consider donating to the annual Boy Scout food drive; the collection will take place on October 28.  Information regarding donations will be delivered to each household.  This food drive supports the Woodbridge Food Pantry and benefits local families in need.  Last year town residents donated close to two tons of food.  We hope we can match that effort again this year.  Many thanks to the scouts of Troops 63, 907, and 410 for their efforts each year.

Energy Assistance Program

Beginning September 18, qualifying residents may schedule an appointment to apply for the 2023 - 2024 CT Energy Assistance Program administered by TEAM, INC.  For more information regarding this program, please call Woodbridge Social Worker Judi Young at 203-389-3429.

Adopt-A-Family

Human Services seeks sponsors for the Adopt-A-Family program.  The program provides holiday food baskets for the December holidays to Woodbridge families in need.  Distribution of the baskets will take place in early December.  If interested in sponsoring a family, please call the department (203-389-3429) by October 30.  Donations of gift cards to local stores are also welcome for this program.

QVHD Survey

The Quinnipiack Valley Health District wants to hear from YOU to better understand key factors in the community influencing your health & well-being.  Residents can weigh in by completing the online surveys-one general health-focused and one substance use-focused.  All survey data will remain anonymous and will be used to develop evidence-based strategies to address gaps and improve the well-being of our residents.  To access the surveys, visit www.qvhd.org/survey.  If you would like to be contacted for an opportunity to elaborate on your thoughts and share potential recommendations, you can contact Emily Melnick by emailing your name & contact information to Melnick.emily@gmail.com.