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Community news from around the area

10 Million Mask Mailer

to reach every older

Ohioan during holidays

COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Department of Health, with support of the Ohio Department of Administrative Services, have announced the launch of the 10 Million Mask Mailer. During December, more than 10 million disposable face masks will be mailed to 2.1 million Ohioans age 65 and older. Each mailer includes five masks and information about staying well throughout the winter.

“The science is clear — wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth helps protect you and those around you from COVID-19,” said Ursel McElroy, director of the Department of Aging. “We are thankful for the fast work of our partners at the Department of Administrative Services to get these mailers into the hands of the most at-risk Ohioans in response to the current surge in cases and over the holidays.”

Ohioans age 65 and older were identified through the Department of Aging’s Golden Buckeye program. Contracted teams then set to work on assembling mailer envelopes, which include five nonmedical disposable masks and COVID prevention information. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, these are among the most effective mask types.

“As Ohio confronts coronavirus on many different fronts, it will be important to keep wearing masks, one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the virus. We were happy to play a key role in this effort,” said Matt Damschroder, director of the Department of Administrative Services.

The 10 Million Mask Mailer is the second phase in Ohio’s campaign to get masks directly to older citizens. During the Thanksgiving holiday, the agencies distributed masks to individuals within community living settings with the assistance of the area agencies on aging and other local partners. Funding for both phases of the mask mailer program was provided to Ohio by the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act.

Throughout the pandemic, older adults have been encouraged to stay home more and limit close contact with others. Services for older Ohioans have remained flexible to meet residents’ needs and changes in how those services are delivered.

Individuals who can use help with meals, transportation, home repair, care needs and more should contact their area agency on aging. “Call (866) 243-5678 to be connected to the agency serving your community,”Damschroder said.

The Ohio Department of Aging’s Staying Connected service provides a free, daily check-in by phone for Ohioans age 60 or older. Participants also can connect with aging services and request a friendly chat. Visit www.aging.ohio.gov/stayingconnected or call (833) 632-2428 to sign up.

Additional coronavirus information and resources for older Ohioans, caregivers and service providers is available at www.aging.ohio.gov/coronavirus.

Student Ag Challenge offers

new format, more training

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The Robert C. Byrd Institute and a statewide group of partners have announced the fourth-annual Student Ag Innovation Challenge to encourage problem-solving and innovation among West Virginia students interested in agriculture.

Students in grades seven through 12 are eligible to compete for cash prizes including a $500 grand prize. The competition emphasizes solving an agriculture issue in one of six focus areas — agribusiness systems; animal systems; environmental and natural resources management; food products and processing systems; plant systems; and power, structural and technical systems.

The student ag challenge is the centerpiece of the West Virginia Agricultural Innovation Showcase, presented annually by RCBI, the West Virginia Department of Agriculture, the West Virginia Department of Education and Eastern West Virginia Community and Technical College.

“Because of the new format this year, we’re able to offer additional agricultural training to students through distance learning, with skill-building workshops leading up to the Feb. 24 showcase,” said Bill Woodrum, RCBI director of entrepreneurship and agricultural innovation.

The 2021 showcase will feature a series of free Agcellerator Master Classes to inspire students and help them prepare their entries for the challenge:

– Jan. 7: “The Importance of Innovation in West Virginia Agriculture” will provide an introduction to this year’s competition and teaches how to scale national outcomes from your own backyard.

– Jan. 14: “Innovating for Success” will focus on how to prepare your innovation for competition and presents an introduction to this year’s judging criteria.

– Jan. 21: “Bringing It All Together” will offer guidance for preparing a successful video submission to this year’s competition.

Students can register for the free Agcellerator Master Classes and sign up for the challenge at www.wvmakes.com/agshowcase.Students must submit videos explaining their innovations by Feb. 15. Winners will be announced Feb. 24 during a virtual live event.

For information, contact Woodrum at bwoodrum@rcbi.org or 304.781.1670. These events are made possible through the financial support of the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.

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