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Lariccias make good on promise to fund day services program
The program has been operated by the Mahoning County Health District for 31 years.
YOUNGSTOWN — Anthony and Mary Lariccia are making good on their promise to fund the Mahoning County Health District Adult Day Services Program as long as necessary.
The philanthropic couple donated $60,000 in April 2008 to keep the doors open after funding cuts made it impossible for the health department to continue to subsidize the program.
On Tuesday at a noon reception for the Lariccias at the Adult Day Services Program, they will present another $60,000 check to keep the center running for another year.
The Adult Day Services Program is located in the county’s South Side Annex at 2801 Market St. It has been operated for 31 years by the health department, in collaboration with the Area Agency on Aging, which provides $30,000 a year for the program.
The seniors who participate in the program, many of whom are World War II veterans, would have been without services, likely forcing them to seek necessary care in nursing homes, said Matthew Stefanak, county health commissioner.
He said the health department is recovering more of its costs by making sure participants receive funding from all sources for which they are eligible.
Also, the seniors and their families are digging deeper. But, he said the health department has lost 20 percent of its work force the past two years, along with a corresponding amount of revenue, and is unable to fund the unmandated program.
The program offers seniors physical and craft activities, a hot lunch, transportation to and from the center and a place to socialize under caring and watchful eyes, Stefanak said.
“Our heartfelt thanks go out to Tony and Mary for their generosity. They have really come through for the senior citizens in the Mahoning Valley,” he added.
alcorn@vindy.com