Community Outreach

The community outreach committee is always looking for ways to get resources in the hands of those who need them. These resources for the community are

• BLFS Website
• Bi-Annual Print Directory of Service Providers  (next publish date is March 2012)
• Better Season for Seniors Program, which partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts during the holiday season. BLFS works with local businesses to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing ornaments within their various locations. Each senior's gift requests are written on an ornament. Each year we look for sites to host a set number of ornaments. If your company or business is interested in facilitating the purchase of gifts for seniors or you know of a senior needing some holiday cheer, or you need more information contact Better Seasons for Seniors program chair, Tamara Rowland, at (863) 287-7969 or email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  . For a report on the most recent Better Season for Seniors event click on the following link  Better Season For Seniors
• Empathy for Elders, which is an interactive and educational presentation. It offers the participants the opportunity to learn about, the aging process, ailments that come along with aging, tips on how to better assist this generation, how to be a better caregiver, and how to provide a better quality of life for our older generation. The Education Committee has presented to hundreds of students, health care professionals, family caregivers, health care facility team members, hospice volunteers, and many more. The presentation can be customized to present to any audience in any length of time. We can share a short 10-minute "This is one thing you can do today to make a difference" or our complete 1-hour interactive presentation. For more information, please contact Ashley Vogel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   or view click on the following link for a copy of our promotional flyer... 2011 Empathy For Elders Flyer
• BLFS has also sponsored and co-sponsored a number of educational seminars including a colaborative effort with Lakeland Regional Medical Center to offer "LIFE CARE" seminars to the community dealing with advanced directives, guardianship, geriatric care management, elder law, etc. Become a "friend of BLFS" to receive information on uncoming community life care seminars.
• BLFS has co-sponsored conferences, most recently in support of the Alzheimer's Association in presenting a community conference on Alzheimer's and related Dementia. In 2011 hundreds gathered for this event which included speakers from the community and universities as well as the many vendors offering their services.
• Health Fairs are also part of our community involvement throughout the year offering member information and promoting the coalition.
• BLFS also takes grant applications for benevolent projects as funds become available. Recent projects have included the Alzheimer's Association, supporting elementary students in distributing blankets to skilled nursing facilities and ALFs, and support of medical services for the needy.

We are always interested in new ways to serve you and our Polk County communities. We are available to come and speak to your retirement communities, civic organizations, churches or Assisted Living Facilities to share what we do and of course we are always looking to expand our membership network. Help us spread the word about what BLFS has to offer.