May 6, 2021 (Sioux City) Connections Area Agency on Aging announces its Spring “Shred-tastic,” a document shredding event, will be returning to Sioux City. This event during Older Americans Month is for seniors ages 60+ and their caregivers and will take place Friday, May 21, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Siouxland Center for Active Generations, 313 Cook Street, Sioux City. Document Depot is providing a shredding service for personal papers only.
Siouxland District Health will also partner with Connections to provide a Covid-19 Vaccination Drive-Thru Clinic at the Shredtastic. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine will be available for a one-dose shot for anyone age 16 or older. An area of the parking lot will be designated for the vaccination, as patients will need to remain for at least 15 minutes following their vaccination.
As were in place last fall, several changes will remain in place in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This will be a drive through event only. Drivers are to remain in their vehicles.
Papers to be shredded should be in non-returnable containers (boxes or garbage bags.)
Containers of the personal papers should be placed in the trunk or back end of vehicles, not the back seat or passenger seat, to allow for social distancing.
Volunteers assisting at this event will be wearing face masks and/or face shields.
Over the last several years, an average of two+ tons of personal papers were shredded during this two-hour period. The option to park and watch the shredding process is also available, using social distancing. This service is available on a donation basis with the donations benefitting senior services provided by Connections.
With a focus on preventing seniors from becoming victims of identity theft, Shred-tastic offers seniors or their caregivers the opportunity to shred personal materials. Connections Area Agency on Aging, and SHIIP/SMP(Senior Health Insurance Information Program/Senior Medicare Program) advises Medicare beneficiaries to carefully dispose of paperwork such as Medicare Summary Notices, explanation of benefits notices from insurance companies, bank statements, credit card billings and applications and other documents that contain personal information. “We all need to be aware that numbers assigned to us from Medicare and Social Security, as well as bank account and credit card information are valuable and sell-able commodities to many scammers,” stated Chris Kuchta, event organizer at Connections Area Agency on Aging. She continued, “We are excited to be able to offer this service to seniors living in the Siouxland area, as we have been for more than last 10 years.
This event is for personal papers only. Papers from businesses, including in-home businesses, will not be accepted. Other items not accepted include magazines, phone books, plastic folders, corrugated cardboard, binders with metal clips, etc. Staples, paperclips and spiral bound items can be shredded and do not need to be removed.
This event occurs each spring and fall in Sioux City. The next Shredtastic will be in September with the date to be announced. For additional information, contact Connections Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-432-9209 or visit www.connectionsaaa.org.
