(Editor: The Dispatch salutes the local heroes who make their communities stronger.) Twenty senior centers, two of them based in south Pierce County, and five community non-profits received a combined $17,000 from the Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County in donations at the end of 2015 in support of their work with older adults. "The needs of seniors in our community continue to grow,GÇ¥ said Melissa Martin, president in 2015 of the council (HCPC). "Many older adults live on fixed incomes. Fortunately, we have some wonderful senior centers and community-based organizations who provide much-needed support and help fill needs around the basic necessities of life. We're honored to be able to help them in their mission.GÇ¥ The Eatonville and Spana-Park senior centers (the latter serving the Spanaway and Parkland areas) are among the senior centers that each received $750. The centers offer meals and nutrition programs; information and assistance; health, fitness and wellness programs; transportation services; social and recreational activities; educational programs and benefits counseling. Organizations receiving $500 apiece included the FISH Food Banks of Pierce County, the Tacoma Rescue Mission, Honor Flight, TACID (Tacoma Area Coalition for Individual with Disabilities) and the Senior Pet Pantry at the Humane Society for Tacoma-Piece County. As of mid-2014, the most recent period for which statistics are available from Kaiser Family Foundation, approximately 12 percent of the residents of Pierce County were at least 65 years old. Half of all Medicare beneficiaries had incomes below $24,150 in 2014, and 25 percent had incomes below $14,350, according to HCPC. Health Care Providers Council of Pierce County is a professional membership and non-profit organization that promotes service, care and well-being for older and disabled adults. The membership includes more than 200 individuals who represent businesses and agencies specializing in senior services.
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