Discover What’s New at COAMC This May

Dear Friends,

There’s always something new at Council on Aging Martin County - and this month, we’re especially excited to share it with you.

Our brand-new website is live at www.coamartin.org.

We’ve been working behind the scenes for many months to build something truly worthy of the community we serve - more intuitive, faster and much more visually appealing. Whether you visit us often or haven’t stopped by the site in a while, we think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Just a few of the many things you can explore and do:

• Browse and sign up for Kane Center events — from exercise classes to concerts

• Find memory programs and other specialized services

• Connect with Day Primary to schedule an appointment

• Explore volunteer opportunities

• Make a donation to keep the good work going

• Get quick answers in our brand-new FAQ section, designed to help you navigate our programs, services, and how to get started

Our goal was simple: make it easier for seniors, caregivers, and community members to find what they need - in plain language. Same address. Same mission. A whole lot better experience.

Come see for yourself at www.coamartin.org. No matter how well you think you know us, we’re betting you’ll discover something new.

Also in this issue: meet our newest board member, learn how your Target purchases can help fight homelessness, and get to know two remarkable individuals from our Adult Day Club.

Warmly,

Karen Ripper, President and CEO

The Council on Aging Martin County received a wonderful surprise during its annual Sage Awards ceremony when Charity Classic Committee member Gretchen Kundahl and Club Manager Rick Falero of Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club presented the organization with an incredible donation of more than $57,000. The announcement created one of the evening’s most memorable and heartfelt moments.

The generous gift was made possible through Piper’s Landing’s annual Charity Classic — a beloved community tradition that brings residents together through pickleball, tennis, and golf competitions, as well as an elegant dinner and live auction, all in support of local nonprofit organizations.

Piper’s resident Harriet Stone first introduced the Council on Aging’s mission and impact to the Charity Classic Committee, helping inspire this year’s support.

As Gretchen shared, “We are just thrilled to have this opportunity to support such an incredible organization and its impactful programs. The Piper’s community is small but mighty — and we love giving back!”

Pictured L to R: Gretchen Kundahl, Rick Falero, Club Manager, and Barbara Pompa, Club President presented the Council on Aging a check at the annual Sage Awards ceremony, surprising the President & CEO Karen Ripper and Board Chair Dr. Neil Boland and all of its guests!

The Mariner Sands Country Club community came together for this year’s Charity Week. They were faced with a moment that truly matters. They recognized that right now, seniors in Martin County are struggling to meet their most basic needs—food on the table, a safe place to live, and access to essential healthcare.  

On April 22, 2026, members of the Council on Aging were presented with a $25,000 contribution to help provide essential emergency basic needs and housing assistance for Seniors in Crisis. This grant will empower our case managers to help seniors during times of a crisis. This generous support will provide critical funds necessary to aid vulnerable seniors, who may be at risk of becoming homeless and having an adverse impact on our fixed-income, low-income seniors. 

The Council on Aging Martin county is honored to have been among the Mariner Sands’ Focus Charities this year!   

Pictured L to R: Judith Carlson, Alan Casanneli, Edie Stevenson, Jack Flanagan and Kathy McGowan representing MSCW and Karen Ripper, President & CEO, Greg Nuttall, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors, and Michele Jacobs, Chief Philanthropic Officer, representing the Council on Aging Martin County. 

Our Adult Day Club is always filled with energy, laughter, and activity - especially when we’re celebrating the birthdays of our wonderful clients.

Recently, we had the joy of honoring two very special members of our Day Club family: Bill and Emma, who generously shared a little about their lives and what the program means to them.

At 93 years young, Bill is nearly a native Floridian, having moved to South Florida with his family as a young boy. After the loss of his wife, he found himself searching for companionship and meaningful ways to stay engaged. He found both at the Day Club. Several days a week, the Day Club bus brings him from his home to the Kane Center, where he enjoys the friendships, activities, and welcoming atmosphere.

“People are friendly and loving here,” Bill shared. “There are always fun things to do, lively conversations, and good food! Everyone works hard to make it a good day - and they succeed.”

Emma, 90, truly is a native Floridian, born in Hobe Sound. She also rides the bus to the Day Club each day and says the time flies once she arrives.

“It’s like a big party every day,” Emma said with a smile. “I especially enjoy the field trips and the mental challenges like word searches. My daughter thought it would be good for me to come here and she was right.”

We’re excited to share that the Council on Aging Martin County has been selected for the Target Circle Community Giving Program — and your support can help generate donations for vulnerable seniors in our community.

Target Circle is Target’s free loyalty program, and joining is easy. You can become a member by entering your phone number at checkout, downloading the Target app, or signing up online at target.com/circle.

As a Target Circle member, you earn votes with eligible purchases, and those votes help direct Target’s charitable giving. The more votes the Council on Aging receives, the larger the donation we receive from Target to help support programs that address senior homelessness, hunger, and isolation right here in Martin County.

If you shop at Target, we would be incredibly grateful if you would take a moment to vote for us through the Target app or online at target.com/circle/community-voting. Every vote truly makes a difference!

Here’s how:

Web Browser:

Step 1: Sign in to your Account on Target.com. 

Step 2: Click ’Target Circle’ in the top navigation bar

Step 3: Scroll down & click Community Support Votes

Step 4: Find Council on Aging Martin County & Vote!

Mobile App:

Step 1: Sign in to your Target app 

Step 2: Click ’Circle benefits’ in the top navigation bar

Step 3: Scroll down & click Vote for non-profits

Step 4: Find Council on Aging Martin County & Vote!

Voting ends June 30, 2026! Thank you in advance for your continued support!

The Council on Aging Martin County has welcomed Attorney Liane LeBouef to its Board of Directors. Liane is a member of the McCarthy Summers law firm in Stuart, with special expertise in Elder Law, Special Needs Trusts, Medicaid, Long Term Care, and Estate Planning. A graduate of the Florida State University College of Law, Liane is generously volunteering her time to forward the COAMC mission.

What first drew you to work with the Council on Aging?

The first time I visited the Kane Center I was taken by the building itself. I love the “indoor neighborhood” set up and the attention to detail, as well as the conveniently located physician’s office down the sidewalk. From the very beginning I knew that I wanted to work with Council on Aging in some capacity.

What gives you the greatest satisfaction from your service on the board?

The issues facing our seniors are vast and varied. Elder law, while being a broad practice area compared to other legal specialties, only touches on a very narrow subset of those issues. Serving on the Board allows me to tap into a large network of individuals who are serving seniors in ways that I could not have imagined! Learning from the other board members makes me more helpful not just to clients, but to friends and family as well, which is very satisfying.

What are some of the challenges that COA faces as it continues being our community's hub for senior resources?

Public knowledge! Particularly as individuals move into our community from other states, they may not even be aware of the incredible resources available to them.

Navigating health information on social media can sometimes feel overwhelming. While there is valuable content online, misinformation can spread quickly — making it important to know how to separate credible advice from viral trends.

The knowledgeable team at Day Primary Care recommends these tips for maintaining a healthier digital life:

1. Check the source.

Before trusting a health “hack,” look at who is sharing the information. Is it a licensed medical professional or a reputable organization such as the CDC, Mayo Clinic, or a university health system? Be cautious of influencers offering medical advice without clinical credentials.

2. Be wary of “miracle” claims.

Phrases like “Doctors don’t want you to know this,” “one simple cure,” or promises of instant results are major red flags. Real health improvements are typically gradual and based on consistent, evidence-based habits.

3. Follow the motivation.

If someone is giving health advice while aggressively promoting supplements, detox products, or paid programs, consider the potential conflict of interest. Reliable health information should educate — not pressure you into making a purchase.

4. Curate a positive feed.

Your online environment affects your mental health. If certain accounts leave you feeling anxious, stressed, or inadequate, unfollow or mute them. Instead, seek out content that provides trustworthy education, encouragement, and positivity.

5. Verify before you share.

Misinformation spreads quickly because it often sparks strong emotional reactions. Before reposting a shocking health claim, take a moment to verify it through a trusted medical source. If you can’t confirm it through a reputable organization, it may not be accurate.

The Golden Rule: Always talk with your primary care provider before making changes to your medications, diet, supplements, or exercise routine based on something you saw online. Your healthcare provider can help determine whether a viral trend is safe and appropriate for your specific needs.

Day Primary Care is accepting new patients. Check our website, www.dayprimarycare.org, for an easy way to make an appointment, or call us at 772-223-7864.

Dr. Robert Kenney and the staff at Day Primary Care pride themselves on individualized attention for every patient.

Our Kane Center on Salerno Road is a bustling hub of activity every day, with exercise classes, game days, book clubs, special events, and so much more.

Here are a few of the events you can look forward to: