News

Portland Monthly's Extraordinary Volunteer, Jon Springer, works with an older adult at Elders in Action office. Jon is a great example of our Personal Advocate volunteers who in the past fiscal year assisted 3,561 individuals and recouped $231,726 for seniors due to fraud, wrongful billing and other problems.

Congratulations to Jon for the 'Light A Fire' Award and EiA for our 2009 Spirit of Portland recognition.

Elders in Action's Award Winning Services

2009 Spirit of Portland and 'Light A Fire' for Extraordinary Volunteer

2009 Spirit of Portland Award

Elders in Action is one of the winners of the coveted 2009 Spirit of Portland Award which will be awarded at a ceremony at the Elder Friendly Certified Portland Center for the Performing Arts Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009.

Elders in Action was named by Commissioner Nick Fish for our excellent advocacy programs for older adults. We provide a social network for seniors and also safety and training programs to help those having problems with housing, health care, crime, abuse, and fraud.
We assisted 3,561 individuals last year.

Portland Monthly 'Light A Fire' Award
Extraordinary Volunteer Jon Springer Personal Advocate

There is little glory in paperwork, unless you're Jon Springer, an Elders in Action volunteer who last year helped one elderly Portland couple write off more than $300,000 in medical debt. The nonprofit works to provide seniors with a better quality of life. Sometimes that's as simple as offering a sympathetic ear, and sometimes it means tackling complex issues like medical debt. Springer waded through boxes and boxes of benefit statements, bills, collection letters, and financial aid applications, spent hours making phone calls, leaving messages, and writing e-mails. "It can be overwhelming," says Springer, whose seven-year stint as a state employee assists him in navigating the hospital bureaucracy. "You just have to be patient, persistent, and polite."

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