Senior Project Holds Membership Drive

  After nearly four years, the Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), a government-funded test project for seniors, is now a permanent Jewish Federation program. To help underwrite costs to help sustain the NORC, a drive is currently underway to recruit members.

  Residents (65+) are asked to pay yearly membership dues of $25 (for those who sign up before Jan. 1, 2008) to receive all services – a $ 370 value. After Jan. 1, the fee is $30. Fees were set by the residents who came up with additional ways to make NORC financially strong and affordable through a tribute fund, activity fees and charitable tax-deductible gifts.

  “Some who have signed up as charter members have never participated in any St. Louis NORC program such as 90-year-old Jack Wasserman who paid the fee and made a contribution as well. This is a true testament to our word-of-mouth success,” said Karen Berry Elbert, NORC manager.

  And other residents who have been active in NORC from the get go, such as Bill and Babs Bogardus, joined immediately. They wanted to get in on the ground floor and provide the project with seed money and support. “We get so much out of NORC—lectures, social activities, exercise classes, bus outings to great places or having our home made safer for us.”

   It takes about $300,000 to run the NORC program for one year, noted Berry Elbert. “Where else can seniors call and get their questions answered, a referral made or have a sympathetic ear to listen to their concerns, joys and fears? For just $30, there is a broad range of services: home repair, leaf raking, transportation, NORC Advantage Card area discounts, reduced JCC membership, mattress flipping, computer assistance, fitness classes, cultural, health and wellness programs and concierge services.”

  The St. Louis NORC is the only officially recognized Naturally Occurring Retirement Community in Missouri. By living in this special community in a approx. three mile area of Creve Coeur and unincorporated St. Louis County, NORC residents have been able to test and participate in programs over the past 3 ½ years that they’ve created and chosen as the best to keep them healthy, independent and in their homes.

  St. Louis NORC is also a boon to the residents’ adult children. Loretta Seltzer, daughter-in-law of 94-year-old resident Ida Seltzer, considers NORC extended family. “My mother-in-law’s basic needs for respect, recognition and care for her physical, intellectual and psychological aspirations, have been met by such programs as yoga and tai-chi, world news seminars and cultural field trips,” she said. “But NORC has been most instrumental in expanding her future horizons. Where else could a woman her age revel in the responsibility of instructing a computer class or a crafts class in needle point, knitting and crocheting?”

  Judy Liebman, daughter of resident Joyce Sova, said she’s delighted that on Tuesdays and Thursdays, her mother has a place to go to exercise and be with friends. “That’s two days I don’t have to worry about her safety and whether she has something to do. I can relax.”

  St. Louis’ NORC is an incredible bargain. “The Detroit NORC charges more than $60 a month membership and provides very limited services.  Indiana's program charges $120/year.   Our residents are so fortunate to have a low membership fee for so many terrific benefits,” said Berry Elbert.

   To join NORC, contact Jacki Newfield (442-3834) or e-mail jnewfield@jfedstl.org . After only one month of publicizing the membership drive, 185 NORC residents have joined and many have made additional contributions.

Visit the St. Louis NORC website at www.jewishinstlouis.org/NORC