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MEOC invites local churches and individuals to join Hearthwarming Sunday on February 9 and help provide vital midwinter support for the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly. Held annually on the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day, this event comes at a critical time—when requests for emergency heating assistance rise and available funds dwindle. As winter temperatures drop and electric bills climb, many older adults in our region face the choice between staying warm and meeting other essential needs.

MEOC has recognized the dedication and work ethic of Maintenance Supervisor Doug Ashley, presenting him with the Mae French Outstanding Older Worker Award at this year’s annual Older Worker Luncheon on Oct. 17 at Lonesome Pine Country Club. The annual award honors an MEOC employee aged 55 or older who exemplifies service, loyalty, commitment, and kindness — values embodied by Mae French, a beloved MEOC employee who retired at age 98 after nearly two decades of service.

Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc. proudly announces its 50th-anniversary celebration, commemorating five decades of dedicated service to the residents of Wise, Lee and Scott counties and the City of Norton. The community event will be on Saturday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the David J. Prior Convocation Center at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise. MEOC invites the public to attend and celebrate this significant milestone.

Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Inc., is accepting applications for the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. This program provides older citizens who meet income guidelines with greater access to locally grown fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and supports local farmers. To qualify, recipients must: Be at least 60 years old. Live within MEOC’s service area of Wise, Lee and Scott counties and the City of Norton. Have income at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level. The monthly income limit for a one-person household is $2,322; for a two-person household, it is $3,151.

Mountain Empire Transit secured the top team award for the fourth consecutive year at the annual Community Transportation Association of Virginia’s Paratransit Roadeo on April 27 in Galax. This achievement marks the ninth time MET has clinched the top honor in the past 11 years.

If you’ve ever been to a Mountain Empire Older Citizens Walkathon, there’s a good chance Anne Newlun was there. Newlun, or “Miss Anne” as most people in Norton, where she lives and taught at Norton Elementary School for 49 years, affectionately call her, is among the event’s most loyal supporters. She has participated in the annual Walkathon to raise money for MEOC’s Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly for decades, faithfully gathering donations and often walking in the event with a group of her students. She plans to be there for the 48th Walkathon this year.

Mountain Empire Older Citizens invites local churches and individuals to join the upcoming Hearthwarming Sunday, an initiative that provides vital midwinter support for the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly.  The fuel fund annually provides emergency heating assistance to about 1,000 older adults in Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton. Now is the time of year when requests increase, and funds dwindle. The annual Hearthwarming Sunday, held on the Sunday closest to Valentine’s Day, provides a much-needed boost to help meet requests through the remainder of the winter. 

The Rapha Foundation has awarded a $50,000 grant to MEOC’s Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly. Foundation Executive Director Mark Vanover, left, delivered a check to MEOC’s office on Dec. 21. The nonprofit Rapha Foundation is dedicated to improving health and education access in Southwest Virginia. MEOC’s emergency fuel fund assists older persons in Lee, Scott and Wise counties and the City of Norton with heating costs such as payment of an electric bill or oil, gas, coal or wood delivery. Vanover is pictured with MEOC Executive Director Michael Wampler. Learn more about The Rapha Foundation here.

For 82-year-old June Jones of Norton, Mountain Empire Transit is more than just a way to get from here to there. The public transportation service is a lifeline to her independence.