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Lariccias save seniors program
The Senior Day Services program was slated to close May 7.
YOUNGSTOWN — “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus,” is a line from a famous editorial published in The New York Sun in 1897, reassuring an 8-year-old girl who had written to the paper saying her friends had told her there is no Santa Claus.
Though philanthropist Anthony Lariccia and his wife, Mary, may not be Mr. and Mrs. Claus, their gift of $60,000 to the Senior Day Services program, run by the Mahoning County District Board of Health, made Tuesday seem like Christmas morning.
Clients, who feared their program would close, were moved to applause and cheers and tears of gratitude.
“We’re overjoyed. We really wondered what we were going to do,” said Bessie Daniels of Campbell.
Moved by the plight of the clients, should the program close because of lack of funds, Lariccia, of Boardman, said he would donate $60,000 a year to the program “for as long as I live.”
“Seniors are precious people and should be valued. I’m 62. I’d want someone to do that for me or my wife if it was necessary,” he said.
“Some of these people served in World War II. They are members of the greatest, most-sacrificing generation in history,” he added.
“We are so grateful. Mr. Lariccia truly does respect what our seniors have given to the community and country,” said Diana Colaianni, the health department’s director of nursing. “His generosity and compassion will allow our clients to continue their relationships with friends and what many of them consider a second family.”
The Senior Day Services program was originally slated to close today because the county health board was no longer able to provide its $60,000 annual subsidy to keep it operating. Private donations totaling about $1,000 had given it a one-week reprieve, until May 7.
But with the Lariccias’ gift, and efforts by the Mahoning County Commissioners, county health and Area Agency on Aging officials that produced an additional $56,000 a year in Medicaid and PassPort program benefits for the clients, the program will not only survive, but possibly expand.
This week’s events may enable the program to accept more clients and provide additional services, said Matthew Stefanak, county health commissioner.
County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti said the county was prepared to provide $4,000 to keep the program alive until the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30 had Lariccia not come forward.
“This is a great day in Mahoning County. Tony Lariccia is the most generous person I’ve ever met,” Traficanti said.
Also, Traficanti said the county will continue to provide space for the program free of charge in its South Side Annex at 2801 Market St., which Stefanak said is greatly appreciated.
Not only does the rent-free space keep the cost of the program down, it is a great location in that many of its clients live in the general area, Stefanak said.
This is wonderful news, said Constance Hudson, an aide for the program.
“Our seniors don’t get enough credit. The appreciation they got today is well-deserved. They are our backbone,” she said.
alcorn@vindy.com