In FY 1998, more than 800 elderly residents were helped by 283 volunteers who devoted over 2,700 hours to these activities. Another 269 volunteers trained in special listening skills devoted nearly 7,300 hours to clients. In one neighborhood, a local contractor has volunteered to help elderly residents with some of the minor repairs needed to keep up their homes. A small local grocery store will take telephone orders which then are delivered by volunteers. And there are many other examples of cooperation and service.
Many local contributions come from grateful family and friends of clients.
The same funding is provided by Ramsey County each year. Since its start in one St. Paul neighborhood in 1981, the Program has spread throughout the City, the State of Minnesota, and to other states. As its reputation grew, the originators were receiving so many requests for information that an organization was needed to oversee the replication of the Program and to integrate it into the mainstream health system.