By Dante Nunez, KTEN News

DENISON, Texas — Runners laced up their shoes for the 14th annual Texoma Caregiver Celebration Walk to raise funds and awareness for loved ones who have passed and those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

“I really want to support caregivers in any way that I can,” said Olivia Lewis. “I lost my grandfather to Alzheimer’s when I was a kid.”

The Texoma Council of Governments aims to improve the quality of life for those living with chronic illnesses and other diseases.

“I remember the home-health caregivers coming and supporting him at his last years, so I really just want to do anything that I can to give back… even if it’s giving $20 to participate,” Lewis said.

The funds generated from Saturday’s event at Grayson College assist all individual caregivers and will remain in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties.

“It is an event to raise funds to help with programs, and programs that help caregivers of family members who have Alzheimer’s and dementia,” local elder care director Rick Wilson said.

The community also brought their furry friends for a dog costume contest to help raise more money.

“We’re all just trying to bring people out to participate in the Caregiver Walk to make money for TCOG, said Toni Wheeler of Home Hospice.

But for Olivia Lewis, events like these mean so much to her.

“I think it’s important, especially grateful for Grayson College for hosting this and sponsoring this and really showing support for our county and our local needs… especially needing health and wellness needs in our community,” she said.

The American Association of Retired Persons says caregiver services are valued at $470 billion annually.

Source: http://www.kten.com/story/41053434/celebrating-caregivers-at-denison-event

SHERMAN, Texas — There’s a new way to call for help in Grayson, Cooke and Fannin counties. The Texoma Council of Governments says Text to 911 is now available.

“I think it’s a way of providing additional safety for our citizens,” explained TCOG executive director Dr. Susan Thomas.

Now, in addition to calling 911, you can text information to emergency responders as long as your cell phone is on one of the four major wireless carriers: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile or Sprint.

“We wanted to make sure that Text to 911 is available for those that may not be able to speak, or the situation is more safe if they were able to text,” explained Grayson County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Capt. Sarah Bigham.

Once you send a Text to 911 message, you’ll get a reply from a 911 call center identifying which department it is and asking for more information about your emergency.

“Individuals still need to know where they are located — just like with any 911 call — so it helps the dispatchers get the right emergency response to them,” Bigham said.

If Text to 911 isn’t available in your area, you will get a message back asking you to call 911.

While the new service doesn’t let you send picture or video messages, police say it’s a great option for those who may have difficulty speaking on the phone or are in a situation where talking would be dangerous.

“There are some situations where verbal communication is going to cause more harm to an individual, and so that’s why this program is being pushed out all over the State of Texas, and, I believe, nationwide,” Bigham said. “I believe it’s coming on in smaller groups, and so we need to make the public aware when it’s available in their area.”

In Oklahoma, Text to 911 is currently available only in in Rogers County in the northeast corner of the state, according to information from the Federal Communications Commission.

Source: http://www.kten.com/story/38380701/text-to-911-now-available-in-tri-county-area

Additional Coverage on this topic:

KXII – You can now text 911 in Grayson, Fannin, Cooke counties

Herald Democrat – Texting 911 is now an option

SHERMAN, TX — If you’ve been on the hunt for an affordable place to rent, TCOG Texoma Council of Governments may have a solution for you.

They recently launched a free website aimed at helping both the elderly and disabled to find a new home.

At the age of 73, Barbara McCollum will soon be leaving behind precious memories collected through the years in her quaint Sherman home, all because she no longer can afford it.

“It’s just impossible really for elders to get decent affordable housing,” said McCollum.

Like many seniors, McCollum is retired and has to live on a fixed income, but a recent $250 hike in her rent is forcing her to move out, and the search for a new place hasn’t been easy.

“I’ve been looking for the past few months, actually since last year, that’s how hard it is, and there’s such a long waiting list too,” she said.

That waiting list is for section 8 and public housing.

“It’s about a one to two year waiting time before anyone can get in,” said Janet Karam, TCOG Program Manager.

However, a new website called TXHousingSearch.org launched by the TCOG’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, is hoping to fill that need for more affordable housing, geared towards the elderly and disabled, but also friendly for anyone to use.

“We needed a database to get people connected,” said Karam.

The free and easy to use site, which also has a toll free number for those who don’t have access to a computer, will act like a liaison between property providers and renters, providing a centralized location for both parties to either list or search with just a few clicks.

“Definitely easy to navigate,” said McCollum.

The site will have detailed listings for 12 northeast Texas counties, and you can specify your search based on your needs and budget.

“Caregivers can help search for their families, families can search if they’re looking to move, or agencies,” said Karam.

The freshly launched website currently has a little over 1000 listings, but TCOG hopes it will quickly populate, so they can better serve those in need.

For the link to the website, click here.

Toll free number for TXHousingSearch – 1.877.428.8844

Originally posted at http://www.kten.com/story/30379596/tcog-launches-affordable-housing-website-geared-for-elderly-disabled-and-more

SHERMAN, TX—Saturday morning hundreds of people threw on their tennis shoes and grabbed their friends to help raise money for caregivers in Texoma.

Walkers spent a few minutes warming up their muscles before taking a quick lap around the Fairview Park in Sherman.

“We’re here to say thank you to all the caregivers around the county 24/7, 365 days a year,” Ron Keech with Grayson Place said.

For the 10th year in a row, Texoma Council of Governments has set up the “Texoma Caregiver Walk”. The walk raises money to help families caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses.

“Those that have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, chronic illnesses,” Judy Conner with TCOG Aging Services said.

TCOG explains that studies show, Alzheimer’s affects 1 in 3 people. And over 4 million people worldwide have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

Many times the caregivers are unpaid friends and family members. The donations in turn give them a chance to take care of themselves.

“Just breaks from their care giving duties. So they can take care of their own doctor’s appointments. The caregivers can then go into the grocery store to pick up whatever they need,” Conner said.

Quality Home Health Care won the award for the most walkers at the event. They said they’re proud to raise money helping these volunteers get some rest.

“The caregivers that go into this respite that we’re sponsoring is to help give them relief,” Deborah Bates with Quality Home Health Care said.

TCOG said each $500 sponsorship provides about 33 hours of respite care to a caregiver.

All funds raised remain in the Grayson, Fannin and Cooke counties. Walkers hope to raise about $15,000 for caregivers.

Originally posted at http://www.kten.com/story/30017123/texoma-walks-to-raise-money-for-caregivers

GRAYSON COUNTY, TX — Dispatchers are the unsung heroes of the law enforcement community. Answering phones, coordinating officers, usually when seconds count. Thursday night their efforts were honored in a special ceremony.

The importance of working as a dispatcher often goes unrecognized, and requires a passion for the business.

“It’s something that is in your heart,” said Joahanna Shelton a telecommunicator for the Sherman Police Department.

The Texoma Council of Governments hosted the Regional 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Awards Banquet Thursday night in Grayson county. The event celebrated and recognized local dispatchers.

“When you dial 9-1-1, these are the folks that are on the other end waiting to assist you when you call and you have an emergency,” said CJ Durbin-Higgins, the Public Safety Program Manager for TCOG.

Thursday night was all about making sure these telecommunicators, whether dispatchers or supervisors, know that they are appreciated by all.

“We want to show the dispatchers our appreciation, the telecommunicators in our region that we really care about they job that they do everyday,” stated Durbin-Higgins.

Not only are telecommunicators recognized at this banquet, but there were also awards handed out. These awards including a Silent Hero award, Lifesaving awards, Team wards, and Telecommunicator of the Year. Supervisors were also recognized at the event.

This year, was a bitter-sweet year for the Sherman Police Department. Their dispatch supervisor passed away in late October.

“it’s one of those we wish she could be here…very much so…cause this is something that she looked forward to as well.” stated Shelton.

She was chosen as Supervisor of the Year. TCOG presented her with her award before she passed. Her family was present Thursday night to accept it on her behalf.

Being a dispatcher is not an easy job, but anyone who’s ever been in an emergency knows that someone has to do it.

“They are very dedicated to the job that they do,” said Durbin-Higgins.

Although all dispatchers are recognized and thanked, there are a few that received awards as follows:

• Telecommunicator of the Year:
  Amanda Mulkey – Sherman PD
• Supervisor of the Year:
  Cindy Carr – Sherman PD
• Team Award of Merit:
  Elisha Magar & Rachael Terrazas – Whitesboro PD
• Lifesaving Award:
  Lisa Owens – Sherman PD
• Lifesaving Award:
  Linda Jones – Cooke County Sheriff’s Office
• Lifesaving Award:
  Kayla Winkler – Van Alstyne PD
• Silent Heroes:
  16 people total (these awards are for people that do not normally like to be recognized).

Source: http://www.kten.com/story/27322103/texoma-dispatchers-honored

Additional Coverage on this event:

KXII – Community honors regional 9-1-1 dispatchers

Herald Democrat – 911 dispatchers honored, remembered at awards banquet