Thursday, December 15, 2016

Retired Teachers Group Hears About SALT Services

     The St. Tammany Retired School Employees Association held its annual Christmas luncheon on Thursday, December 15, at the David Treen Instructional Technology Center in Mandeville. Fred Bruce with the Seniors And Law Enforcement Together (SALT) organization spoke about this group's services and concerns.

Fred Bruce talks to group.

     The St. Tammany SALT Council is a non-profit Louisiana corporation that seeks to improve the safety and security of senior citizens throughout St. Tammany Parish. He told about the group's Residential Security Kit as well as its Senior Security Workshops. Beginning in 2007, the association began holding an annual two-day Elder Abuse Conference to update service providers on the latest concerns regarding elder abuse in the community.  It will be held June 16 and 17 next year.
     He also told of the need for more volunteers to become involved with SALT, a program founded in 2002 and incorporated in 2007. It came about as a result of law enforcement agencies and community service groups coming together to see what could be done to improve the lives of senior citizens in the area.
     Also at the STRSEA meeting, members were asked to bring a new unwrapped toy to donate to Project Christmas, a program that benefits kids on both east and west sides of the parish. Gifts brought to the meeting filled two tables.


     Lyn Monteleone reported that the group now has 754 members, with 16 members joining in the past month. In an effort to raise funds for the group's scholarship fund, members have the opportunity to buy  T-shirts imprinted with the group's logo.
     The group may meet again in late January if arrangements can be made for several legislators or even the Govenor to speak at the meeting.

CLICK HERE to see more photos of the group's December meeting.

     The STRSEA meets regularly throughout the year to provide opportunities for retirees from the school system to hear about the important issues impacting local and state retirees and to enjoy fun and fellowship with new and former colleagues.  Meetings are generally on the second Thursday of September, November, December, March and May, including an annual Christmas party and spring luncheon.  
     For a once-only fee of $45, the STRSEA offers a life-time membership that entitles members to vote on association matters, furnishes an identification card that allows St. Tammany members free admission to all home games at school system athletic events and provides a St. Tammany Advantage Rewards (STAR) card for discounts at participating local businesses and restaurants.

     For more information about this important organization, call President Roxanne Lagarde at 985-966-6166.  If present members have a new email address, please send the update to stpretirees@gmail.com.  Retirees may join the STRSEA at any regularly scheduled meeting or may send a check for $45 payable to STRSEA in care of STRSEA at Post Office Box 2992; Covington, Louisiana 70434.