Roast, Boast ‘n Toast skewers Fisher to aid Aging Matters

When Cindy Flachmeier, the president and CEO of Aging Matters, learned that Fisher was doing this for her organization, she was thrilled not only for the money it will raise but also for the publicity it will spread about the organization. “I often think that the people in Titusville, myself being one of them, don’t realize how many services are going into the Titusville area,” she said. “We, as an organization, want to make sure that people in different communities know that we are there, that we have a presence.”

Marcia Newell talks about sold out event Roast, Boast ‘n Toast to roast Commissioner Robin Fisher. This is the first such fundraiser sponsored by the Riverview Pilot Club in Titusville, benefiting Aging Matters. Video by Tim Shortt. Posted 9/24/14.

Aging Matters celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. It began as a planning organization through United Way and is now the largest-funded United Way agency in the area. The organization has an annual budget of $6 million, employs 130 people and serves about 5,400 people a year. Money comes from federal, state and county grants and from direct donations. Its services include Meals on Wheels, which serves about 800 people every day. It also offers senior lunches at 11 sites throughout Brevard. The seniors are given door-to-door bus transportation through SCAT. The lunches also provide a hot meal, exercise, bingo and other socialization opportunities. Aging Matters’ in-home services include installing grab bars, minor repairs, bathing, cleaning and more. It is all part of the organization’s goal of letting seniors remaining in their homes.

Friday’s event is the first fundraiser for the relatively new Pilot Club chapter, said president, Marcia Newell. “We were trying to think of ideas,” she said. Members came up with “roasting” Robin Fisher because he is a “star of the county,” Newell said. It also helped that Newell is Fisher’s legislative aide.

While he supports many causes, Aging Matters is especially meaningful to Fisher,because his grandmother has Alzheimer’s, she said. Parrish Medical Center is the title sponsor of “Roast, Boast ‘n’ Toast.” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey will be the master of ceremonies and many speakers will share funny stories about Fisher.

Once the event was announced, tickets began selling faster than they expected. The event is sold out. “It grew bigger than us,” Newell said. “We are squeezing people in and people are still trying to get tickets. We knew it would be a good fundraiser. I don’t think we realized how large it would get.”

Contact Harbaugh at 321-242-3717, pharbaugh@floridatoday.com or www.twitter.com/pharb.