Gloucester Twp. Helps Seniors Make COVID Vaccination Appointments

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Senior citizens have been among the hardest hit populations during the coronavirus pandemic, but Gloucester Township hasn’t lost a step in working to help the senior population the whole time.

Perhaps the most important thing the Gloucester Township Senior and Community Services Department does is help residents register to receive the coronavirus vaccine. They will also pick seniors up and take them to get vaccinated in-person.

“We have a great community and the best help from our Township’s administration throughout the entire pandemic,” Senior and Community Services Director Debi Carr said in a release from the township. “Mayor Mayer has been of tremendous help and is always there should we need anything. At this point it is safe to say that all of our seniors are doing well and taken care of; and my staff and myself are only a phone call away.”

Registration for the vaccine has been notoriously difficult, and as a councilwoman in nearby Cherry Hill said, “This is not a process that takes our elderly population into consideration, and they are the population that needs it the most.” Read more here: Cherry Hill Official Offers Help To Get COVID Vaccine Appointment

See related: COVID Vaccine Sites Now Open In Camden County: Here's Where

They also pick up donations from Wawa twice a week, sort the food, and deliver lunches every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They drive to senior homes and provide various assistance based on each individual’s needs.

Among the other things that the Senior and Community Services Department takes care of:

• Packing and delivering lunches to her seniors and special needs residents;
• Well-check calls to make sure senior residents are doing well and to keep them informed of things like vaccination, Senior Freeze Tax extension, and other helpful information;
• Helping out and giving out items from their “Lending Shed”;
• Notaries;
• Answering phone calls and emails; and
• Keeping seniors informed about township happenings and information from the State Legislature.

Carr also thanked the Gloucester Township Police Department for checking on the vulnerable members of the community and providing them with names of those in need; Public Works for supplying masks and gloves to those seniors who can not get them; and Matty Raimo, Raymond Carr, Nick Tyciak, Wawa, and all of the department’s volunteers.

The department is open at the Hider Lane Senior Drop-In Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. They can be reached at 856-228-9015 or through the Mayor’s Office at 856-374-3514.