Our senior friends and family members are beacons of life. They are filled with experience and wisdom that can only come with maturing of age, and our duty is to protect them. With the wellbeing of our elders in mind, TRIAD of Berrien County, (acronym for: The Right Information And Direction) continues to work with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department on Project Lifesaver, an international rescue program that focuses on bringing our loved ones home.
Over 5,000,000 people in the United States have Alzheimer’s, dementia, or related disorders, and studies show that number will triple by the year 2050. Project Lifesaver is simply described as a bracelet that emits a radio frequency, and deploys specially trained teams to quickly locate and return wandering adults and children to their families and caregivers. Each Project Lifesaver System costs nearly $1,500, and the components for the bracelets are an additional $300, however, these bracelets are free to residents of Berrien County who meet the qualifications, thanks to the diligent fundraising efforts of the organization.
From June 13th -16th, TRIAD will be partnering with Papa Vino’s at 1332 Hilltop Road in St. Joseph, to support Project Lifesaver. The restaurant will donate twenty percent of dine-in or take-out checks from guests who present the paper or electronic vouchers provided by TRIAD. Digital copies of the voucher can be found below, and paper vouchers can be picked up at the Heidi Lull State Farm Insurance Office in Benton Harbor, at 271 E. Napier Ave.
Project Lifesaver is a non-profit organization that has become internationally recognized as an aggressive and proven program that saves lives. It is not a registry system, but is an active response to the problem of locating wandering persons before they fall victim to the elements, accidents, or predators.
“In the 1500 searches that have taken place during Project Lifesaver, there have been no reported serious injuries or death to the missing party, and recovery times average less than thirty minutes. This program has been endorsed by the National Sheriff’s Association,” TRIAD tells us.
To join Papa Vino’s and their generous efforts to assist TRIAD with Project Lifesaver on June 13, 14, 15, and 16, download the voucher, follow TRIAD on Facebook for updates, and help this project continue to serve the community.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
