By Vivian Shipe
KNOXVILLE, TN — Companionship. It’s something taken for granted by many, but for seniors who live alone, no friends, family, no neighbors to check on you ; no help with food or financial assistance, it can mean life or death.
According to a study by the Pew Research Center, 27 percent of elders in the United States live alone. They are more likely to be in poor health and have a shorter life span. Programs like the CAC Senior Companion Program in Knoxville are working hard to lower that statistic.
The program uses senior volunteers to go into the homes of the elders to support isolated adults free of charge. The volunteers help with light cleaning, meal prep, light chores, and offer friendship. They also help with hospice care and assistance for those recovering from surgery or illness. To support this effort that currently is helping over 300 seniors in Knox County, the agency holds a yearly Snowflake Ball to raise funds to give the volunteers a small stipend to pay for their gas or help with their own medical and food needs.
Fund raising efforts include a dinner and dance with live music, a silent auction, and a community fundraiser where the winners who raise the most money for the project are crowned King and Queen on the night of the ball. Of the eight distinguished contestants, who collectively raised over 68,000 just from their efforts alone, the 2024 winners are Crystal Palmer and Marcos Garza.
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