Council on Aging: Select Health awards $2,500 for COAST

The Council on Aging and Human Services/COAST Transportation was recently awarded $2,500 by Select Health, a not-for-profit insurance organization in Utah and Idaho.

“They want to encourage organizations that promote health,” said Suzanne Seigneur, transportation director at COAST. Seigneur traveled to Boise to receive the award at the beginning of August.

Seigneur said approximately 180 organizations applied for the award, called Select 25, and 25 were awarded.

“Of the 25 they awarded, they're all super worthy causes,” said Seigneur. “It was an honor for us to be considered and to even be chosen for us helps validate the service we give is a worthy cause.”

Select Health recognizes organizations in Idaho and Utah, and the award goes toward COAST's work in Idaho. Seigner said COAST serves Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties in Idaho.

“We have drivers throughout. It's an area that's larger than the state of Massachusetts,” she said

The vehicle fleet in Idaho consists of one bus and three vans, and Seigneur said the $2,500 will go toward a match for another grant received to help fund the purchase of a new van. She said this award covers about a third of what COAST will need for its 20 percent match portion for a new Dodge Caravan.

In addition to awarding COAST and other organizations, Select Health also compiled videos for each organization.

“They produced a video for us, and if I had gone out and had someone produce that video it would have cost us $5,000 to $10,000,” said Seigneur. “Everybody got a high caliber video to promote their business.”

Select Health also gave the organizations banners. Seigneur said the COAST banner has the name of the organization and a picture.

“It helps us to look more professional,” she said.

She added that she is grateful for the award and felt spoiled at the luncheon and award ceremony in Boise.

“I think everybody came out of there so charged up,” said Seigneur. “In the non-profit world, you don't get spoiled like that very much.”