Support Network at Penn National

Getting Started

It began with a New York Times article titled "Aging at Home: For a Lucky Few, a Wish Come True," about Boston's Beacon Hill Village, a model community organization designed to make "aging in place" a viable alternative to institutional living and nursing homes. In February, 2006, Al Poppen read that article and brought the concept to the Board of Directors of the Penn National Homeowners' Association (PNHA) for discussion. This led to an article in the PNHA newsletter, and by May a planning group of twelve volunteers was assembled. By July they had a mission: "Develop a plan to establish Aging-at-Home services/resources at Penn National;" a regular meeting place, free of charge, at the Norlo Park farmhouse; and a PNHA grant of $305 to purchase Beacon Hill Village's "how-to" manual.

The rest of 2006 was a busy time. Dick Kiel and Don Wissner drafted a Mission Statement, while Al Poppen drew up by-laws for the organization. After much discussion, the planning group settled on the name "Support Network at Penn National" and the acronym "SNaP." Incorporation papers were filed and work was begun on an application for IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Meanwhile some of the planners began doing research on other support organizations and services providers, and others were preparing for focus group meetings to assess needs and interest. These meetings were held in December and January, and included both current residents and former residents now in assisted living situations. The focus groups highlighted an immediate need that resulted in SNaP's first service program, a social group for widows and widowers.

The first months of 2007 saw the development of a survey that was delivered to all Penn National homes in April. Some 89% of the survey responses encouraged continued implementation of SNaP. Meetings and encouraging conversations were held with state, county and township officials, and the planners began identifying possible strategic partners. With incorporation, the planning group became the Board of Trustees, and they quickly developed an organizational structure of committees responsible for services in six support areas: Transportation, Home Maintenance, Health Support, Information, Lifelong Learning, and Social Support.

During the first months of 2008, each Committee developed policies and procedures and created a network necessary to deliver the required services. An Executive Director was hired and began work on March 1, 2008. A Kickoff Reception was held on April 7th, 2008, and SNaP officially became operational on May 1, 2008, with 54 Charter Member households.

Two Years Along

It became evident during the first two years of operation that the Support Network at Penn National was successfully meeting the needs of its members and was a significant force in adding to the quality of life for our community. By the end of its second operational year membership had more than doubled, serving 196 individuals in 114 households. Volunteers and preferred providers had responded to 232 requests for home maintenance service, provided transportation services to 97 members, and met a variety of needs for an additional 195 members, including health support and caregiver relief.

Our Executive Director, Donna Crissman, connects members to a network of community resources to provide a large range of services, rendered by vetted local craftsmen, often at reduced rates. Donna and our webmaster, Roland Foster, have developed a professional web site that provides information to members and other interested parties, including many other “Villages.” SNaP has also been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging as a rural “aging in place” community that may be emulated throughout the Commonwealth.

Many of SNaP's activities contribute to improving the quality of life for members and the entire community. SNaP has successfully hosted the Penn National Homeowners Association's annual picnic; a holiday bazaar, and a community pancake breakfast. For members there is an annual pot luck supper and book sale, and a wine-and-cheese get-together which will surely also be an annual event. Outings have included snow tubing, a Susquehanna River cruise, a winery tour with wine tasting, and a trip to a local pottery outlet. Snap has also sponsored a number of life-long learning opportunities for our community, such as educational and self-help courses, individual computer instruction, a safe driving course for volunteers, and seminars on dealing with dementia and preventing falls.

The Totem Pole Playhouse, the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg, and the Capital Theater in Chambersburg have each generously donated several pairs of tickets, which SNaP has awarded to randomly selected members.

The Board of Trustees and Executive Director are dedicated to SNaP and the concept of “aging in place” and will continue to develop and improve the services available to members. They will continue their energetic efforts to enroll additional members who need our services or wish to join us in activities that add to the quality of life for our neighborhood.

Stay tuned ...

Updated 06/30/10