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for Senior Citizen ADVOCATES then and NOW however, we called it “Saving Our Seniors” -- not “Serving Our Seniors.” We dreamed of “senior services” for Erie County seniors to assist them so they could remain safely and independently in their own homes. We dreamed of services that would extend beyond Sandusky/Perkins Township out into rural communities. How else could people -- often living alone – maintain their ability to live independently? We dreamed big. We thought big. We asked our citizens to join us in making these big dreams possible. We knew, with the right services in place, we could solve problems effecting senior citizens, while problems were still small. The alternative was to do nothing until the need was serious. By that time, it’s often too late. I remember when Ray and Marian recruited others to help talk about “Saving Our Seniors.” They taught people from within their own community how to explain to groups what the Senior Services Tax Levy would do. There was a speaking engagement every night. Those two really worked hard at educating and informing community members and groups. I’ll never forget Marian’s dozens and dozens of “Friendship Cakes.” She made them from scratch and they were delicious. Those who agreed to take a “Save Our Seniors” yard sign would get their name placed in a drawing to win a home-made Friendship Cake by Marian Koch. I smile. Then came March, 1996. The Senior Services Tax Levy passed with 70% approval. I will never forget that night! Seniors all over our county laughed, and some cried. There was widespread relief! Help was on its way to seniors in need! Sue Daugherty was hired nine (9) months later as the first Director of Serving Our Seniors. We opened the Serving Our Seniors office in December of 1996. The rest is history. Although Ray, Marian, Dean and I had the idea of starting Serving Our Seniors, it was others who made it happen. The credit really needs to go to all of the active people, who 24 years ago, supported the idea of a senior citizen organization to assist our seniors. The thanks go, in the end, to the voters of Erie County. THEY are the hero of this story. Just like those who lived in the 1850’s who also cared about those in need. Marian and Ray Koch 7