By EmmaLee Italia | Correspondent

Princeton’s Senior Care Ministry owes its success in serving the elderly and homebound to a solid base of volunteers. To honor their service and celebrate its 30-year anniversary, SCM held its first ever fundraiser, “Taste of Italy,” Nov. 5 at Tre Piani Restaurant, Forrestal Village, Princeton.

Two of the founding members of SCM, which began as a ministry of St. Paul Parish, Princeton, were given special recognition during the celebration: Mercy Sister Mary Ancilla, and St. Paul parishioner Eleanor Nelson. Also honored was St. Paul’s Knights of Columbus Princeton Council, which was instrumental throughout the ministry’s involvement, and gave SCM a $5,000 donation earlier this year.

“We were pioneers in the ‘aging in place’ movement,” said Joe Bendas, SCM board member and a member of the Knights of Columbus. “Our mission was, and is, to help people remain safely in the comfort of their own homes as long as possible.”

The fundraiser drew more than 100 guests, who enjoyed Italian wines and regional delicacies, as well as a silent auction of Italian products.

Nelson, who has volunteered and supported SCM since its inception, “epitomizes the importance of volunteers to the organization’s work,” read a statement from the ministry. “She has given countless hours to the SCM and other organizations in the community.” Sister Mary, now retired and living at the Mercy Sisters’ retirement home in Watchung, was similarly applauded. Sister Mary “worked for many years at St. Paul [Parish] to help the elderly of the community, and with the support of the Knights of Columbus, built a grassroots organization into what is now the SCM,” it read.

“I’m very honored,” said Nelson, who insisted that so many volunteers would be more deserving of the award. Despite being 88 years young, Nelson still actively volunteers for the group, playing the piano for Buckingham Place Adult Day Center and Brandywine, Kingston. Many people her age would already be making use of the services provided by the volunteer organizations she serves, which also include the Princeton Chapter of Soroptimist Club and the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

“These people at care centers are older, and they enjoy singing music from the World War I and World War II era,” Nelson explained. “I’m old enough to remember that music, so I go and play for them twice a week; some of them have had strokes and can’t speak, but they hear the music and begin to sing.”

Formerly known as the Health Care Ministry of Princeton, SCM was established in 1984 to serve the homebound and elderly of the greater Princeton community. Initially volunteers like Nelson and Sister Mary even helped bathe and cook meals for clients. With insurance requirements changing over the years, the ministry no longer is able to provide those types of service. Changing its name to Senior Care Ministry, the Princeton group evolved to focus on three main areas of service provided by its volunteers: transportation to health and medical-related appointments, grocery shopping and friendly visits.

“[The clients] are so appreciative,” said Beth O’Brien, SCM volunteer. “People are lonely and can’t get out. Often the people we serve have limited income and live in low-income housing, so they really can’t afford the other ride services available in the area. Driving is really the busiest aspect of our ministry.”

SCM carefully matches some 70 volunteers with roughly the same number of clients, most of whom are in their 80s or 90s. They also coordinate transportation with Interfaith Caregivers of Greater Mercer County, especially for clients who need multiple rides per week.

“Some of our clients even offer a small donation, even if it’s five dollars... They just want to give something,” O’Brien said.

SCM operates with the help of an annual appeal each October, with a follow-up in the spring. With the advent of their fundraiser, O’Brien hopes the generosity of attending patrons will preclude their need for a more aggressive appeal.

 “The SCM is unique in its focus on simple neighborly acts of kindness that can make a tremendous difference to the homebound elderly,” said SCM co-chair John Clearwater, who nominated Nelson for recognition.

Jim Floyd, former mayor of Princeton Township, says that the SCM is “a true friend that I rely on ... I sincerely appreciate the kindness and concern demonstrated by staff and volunteers alike.”

The SCM’s services are available free of charge to individuals in the wider Princeton area over the age of 65. Funded mainly by private donations, the SCM is a non-denominational 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

For further information, call the SCM offices, 609-921-8888, or email [email protected].