resources – Phil's List

I came across several things this week that seemed worth sharing. Some are new resources and some are events coming up in the next month or so. Most are free.

Use Your Library Card for Free Admission to Local Attractions

This is a fairly new program and a good one to know about.

The Union County Library now has Explore Passes that library cardholders can use for free admission to several local attractions.

Right now, participating attractions include Cane Creek Park, the Dowd Center Theatre, Kate’s Skating Rink, Monroe Aquatics & Fitness Center and the Monroe Science Center.

Passes are limited and need to be reserved ahead of time. Most can be used once every 365 days per person.

More information and how to reserve a pass: Union County Library Explore Passes

Free Community Baby Shower — August 21

Union County Human Services is holding a free Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair on Friday, August 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Human Services Building, 2330 Concord Avenue in Monroe.

It is open to Union County residents who are expecting a baby or have young children. There will be information about WIC, immunizations and other health and community programs, along with giveaways and a raffle. You don’t have to register ahead of time.

They are also collecting new baby supplies through August 20, including diapers, wipes, baby thermometers, blankets, pacifiers and other items.

Details: Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair

Free Mammograms — September 17

Union County has a Project PINK free mammogram screening on September 17 for women 40 and older who do not have health insurance coverage for annual mammograms.

If you know someone who has been putting off a mammogram because she doesn’t have insurance, this would be worth passing along.

Eligibility and screening information: Project PINK Free Mammogram Screening

Back-to-School Vaccinations

Union County Public Health is encouraging families who still need required school vaccinations to make appointments now. There is also a Back-to-School Vaccination Clinic Exclusion Day on September 22.

Public Health is at 2330 Concord Avenue in Monroe. The appointment number is 704-296-4423.

Information on vaccine scheduling: Union County Public Health

Union County Seniors Can Get Into Cane Creek Park Free for Life

This isn’t a temporary event, but I thought it was worth mentioning because it would be easy not to know about it.

Union County residents age 65 and older can get a free lifetime Senior Permit for Cane Creek Park. Nonresidents who qualify can get a lifetime pass for $5.

You have to get the pass in person at the park and bring a driver’s license or other official identification.

Details about the senior pass and Cane Creek Park: Cane Creek Park

Free One-on-One Technology Help

Union County Library offers one-hour technology appointments for people who need help with a phone, tablet or laptop.

This could be especially useful for an older adult who has a new device or needs help doing things online and doesn’t have someone readily available to show them.

Technology help and other services for seniors: Union County’s senior services and resources page

And One More Free Event Coming Up

Union County is also listing a Back to School Bash on Saturday, August 22, from 1–4 p.m. on its upcoming-events calendar.

For this and other upcoming Union County events, see the Union County Events Calendar.

As always, if you know about a free or very inexpensive program, event or resource in Union County that other people might not know about, please let me know at charityawareness@commonheart.org.

Retirement and inheritance planning is very complicated because of all the factors we can’t know, like when people will die or how the stock market will behave. When you throw in trying to plan for a special needs adult family member as well, it probably triples the complexity. With help from ChatGPT, I created a spreadsheet that can help with the planning and model different financial circumstances. I intentionally used realistic numbers in the base case so that the year-by-year page would show a funding gap that would need to be planned for by the family. There are various scenarios the sheet will calculate so families can get a better idea of what might happen if some of the variables change. Give it a try and email me at charityawareness@commonheart.org to let me know how it worked for you. It works best on a laptop or desktop computer. You can use it in Google Sheets or download it to Excel.

Link to Special Needs Family Lifetime Planner Prototype