PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — More than 25 Rotarians and volunteers turned out Wednesday to collect buckets they hope will keep people safe on winter ice and snow.
Led by the Presque Isle Rotary Club, the Safe Steps program provides buckets, filled with salt and sand, to residents 55 and older in Presque Isle, Easton, and the tri-town area of Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman.
They gave out 80 buckets when the program started in 2022. Now in its third year, the program will help more residents than ever: they’re starting with 130 buckets.
“We’re delivering to anyone over 55 who lives in those areas who has requested a bucket,” said Jordyn Madore, the club’s youth and literacy chair. “It’s an easy online signup.”
People can also contact the Aroostook Agency on Aging, she said. There’s still time to sign up, and there will be another delivery later in the winter.
Volunteers gathered Wednesday at the Coca-Cola warehouse to receive the buckets they’ll distribute. Steve Hanning, Coke district sales manager and coordinator of this year’s Safe Steps, directed the flow of people and vehicles.
It’s an important program, especially for people who are homebound or have mobility issues, he said.
“Some of them don’t have the option to go get sand, and to make a safe place for them to walk is just great,” he said. “And the people that donate the buckets and stuff, they all love the program.”
Public works departments from participating towns donate the salt and sand, while local businesses provide the buckets and the cups people use as scoops, he said. Volunteers take empty buckets to each town and bring them back filled.
Being prepared for winter weather is key to keeping older people safe at home, according to Aging Maine. Having walkways free of ice and snow can help prevent slips and falls.
Safe Steps arose from discussions Rotarians had with the Aroostook Agency on Aging, Rotary President Matt Bouchard said.
“As a club, we’re always looking for opportunities — and this is certainly one of them, with an aging community — to provide something to keep our neighbors safe,” he said.
Recipients appreciate having someone drop off a bucket, Bouchard said. The program is so popular the club has created a second delivery in January, which will deliver replacement buckets to people who’ve gone through their first supply.
Registration forms are online at the Presque Isle Rotary Club website. For information, contact any Rotarian or the Aroostook Agency on Aging at 207-764-3396.
