Marion County Senior Services receives $25,000 grant to support COVID-19 measures for elderly clients

OCALA, Fla. (March 30, 2020) – Community partnerships are the backbone of helping those in need at any given time.

During the global COVID-19 pandemic, they’re even more critical.

In Marion County there a tremendous partnership between Florida Blue and Marion Senior Services (MSS), with the former granting the latter an immediate grant of $25,000, specifically earmarked to help senior citizen clients during this crucial time of need.

“No one is exempt from the COVID-19 crisis – we’re all in it together,” said Jennifer Martinez, Executive Director of Marion Senior Services. “That being said, people and organizations working together to make outcomes the best they can possibly hope to be is absolutely vital. Our long-standing relationship with Florida Blue is one we highly value, and it’s moments like these, when the water gets rough, that it’s imperative you have helping hands to steer the ship with you.”

Florida Blue’s generous donation will allow MSS to continue – and even increase in some areas – the essential programs that thousands of Marion County seniors rely on.

These programs include Marion Transit, home-delivered meals (Meals on Wheels), and the Congregate Meal Program (currently limited to curbside pickup at select sites), among others.

As COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on an international level, with the elderly population being among the hardest hit, staff at MSS is in constant communication with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Marion County’s Emergency Management Division, Florida Department of Health in Marion County, Ocala Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and other local, regional, and statewide officials and organizations to keep abreast of all developments and work in tandem toward ensuring the best possible results for MSS clients and the community in general.

As a health organization, Florida Blue recognizes as much as anyone the critical need to ensure the elderly have the help they need right now.

“While it’s unfortunate that we’ve seen this virus place a prejudice on the senior population,” said Martinez, “everyone should know that they can help: Call, text, email or reach out via social media to elderly family members, friends, and neighbors to check up on them during this pandemic, and make sure they’re doing alright. When we work together towards a common goal, such as defeating COVID-19, success is the only conclusion.”