‘Are You Okay?’ program will soon be available

Thursday, December 1, 2011

To the Editor:

It’s wonderful news in Bedford that the “Are You Okay?” program will soon be available to our residents! At no cost whatsoever to those who want to enroll, the program will provide a daily check on program participants by the Bedford Police Department to verify that they are okay and not in need of any assistance. It is certain to provide some peace of mind to Bedford residents who live alone, who are our beloved senior citizens, or to those who have any health condition or situation that makes them more vulnerable in an emergency, or more at risk for a health crisis or an accident or injury in the home. The winter months can be particularly dangerous, so this much-needed community program will go into operation during an especially critical time of year.

The commitment of Bedford Police Department Captain Dan Douidi and Officer Jessica Humphrey to get this program into Bedford has been admirable, and has been integral to developing community support for it. The entire community owes thanks to those Bedford residents who have made donations to the program. And, it needs to be mentioned that the program would not be available in just a few weeks without the generous and major donations of the Bedford Men’s Club, Continental Paving Incorporated of Londonderry, and the members of the Bedford Police Union. The kids of Bedford’s McKelvie School also deserve our thanks.

Watch the Bedford Journal for enrollment information and the timeline for the program’s implementation. Very special thanks must be given to media outlets for their continuous support for the program and for their publicity of the fundraising effort for it. Without this fabulous assistance, many more months could have passed before the program would have been available.

“Are You Okay?” being available in Bedford is one more reason why Bedford is a great community in which to live!

KATHY BENUCK

Bedford