"The television commercials from major pharmaceutical companies likely convince many viewers that sick people who cannot afford to pay for their prescriptions, particularly the elderly ones, receive whatever medicines they need for free. While the drug companies do help many, plenty of older people have to choose between buying their own medicines or food. It happens in Lexington every day.
But, fortunately, older people on limited incomes have local help from the Senior Emergency Medical Program, or SEMP, which is based at the Senior Citizens Center on Nicholasville Road. Social workers there screen applicants, who must be 60 or older, Fayette County residents and have no medical insurance except Medicare.
The funds that founded SEMP came from the PGA Golf Classic held from 1983 to 1993. A few years later, Mayor Pam Miller and the city council approved moving the funds out of escrow to establish the Benefit Fund. Interest from the principal is divided between SEMP and programs and upgrades at the Senior Citizens Center.
SEMP, a 501(c)3 since 1998, is operated by a small group of dedicated volunteers. Its current president, Jeanne Strunk, joined the group a few years ago, after Chris French, a member and coworker of Strunk's husband at James N. Gray Company, sold the Strunks tickets to an SEMP fundraiser.
As someone who has worked in health care for almost 30 years, Strunk values SEMP for affording her the "ability to continue to help people who really need help." She knows firsthand that Medicare does not cover the cost of many prescription drugs.
Immediate past President Mary Helen Sloan said, "Since January 2006, our requests for financial help have tripled," and that pace continues this year.
SEMP's volunteers hold two major fundraisers each year. The "Spring Evening" in late April is a dinner dance with an auction. The second event is the Hanging of the Wreaths, an auction of holiday wreaths made and donated by both design professionals and interested amateurs. This event follows the annual lighting of the Triangle Park Christmas trees.
Sloan, who works for the Graviss McDonald's Restaurants, arranged for SEMP donation boxes in the restaurants. Because SEMP is small, it's an ideal charity match for employees of any small business, for a group holiday donation, to honor a retiring employee or even on a "Blue Jean Day," each employee pays $5 for the privilege of "dressing down" at work. All funds collected are sent to SEMP.
For more information about the Senior Emergency Medical Program, contact Mary Helen Sloan at (859) 489-2244. The organization's Web site is www.semponline.com. Donations may be sent anytime to Senior Emergency Medical Program, P.O. Box 11247, Lexington, KY, 40574-1247.
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