ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — What’s red, crammed full of goodies, and just might save your life?

Not sure? Got too many answers? Just want to find out what this object is?

It’s a called a “S.E.E.K” or a Senior Emergency Essential Kit. It’s an bright red insulated bag, about the size of a large lunch sack, perfect for keeping medications cold. Inside, there’s also a solar thermal blanket, a small radio with headphones (fresh batteries included) a rain poncho, large antiseptic wipes for bathing, a three-day supply of taste-tested high energy food bars, a three-day supply of water, a medical history/emergency contact list and an ID wristband. There’s also a sturdy metal whistle on a lanyard and a “shaker” no-battery-required flashlight in case you need to signal for help.

Best of all, the Council on Aging will keep a record of everyone who buys a kit, and put a laminated card in the front of the bag, so if the personal data is lost or garbled, a rescuer can see it or get that potentially lifesaving information by calling the Senior Center (the number is emblazoned on the front of the bag).

“It will keep you going for 72 hours,” says Kelly Childress, the assistant director of the Baldwin County Council on Aging. She added that the center had 1,000 bags available.

“This is our first year, so we are hoping to kick off the program,” Childress said.

The kit costs $24, but Childress says that money should be the least of a senior’s worries. There’s no need to pay.

“The $24 allows us to buy another bag, but we will take in-kind donations. Anything people can give us will be welcome.”

Seniors wanting to obtain a bag should call 972-8506 for more information.

Childress is also active in VOAD (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster) and says that, “Even if you are going to a shelter, you definitely need one of these bags.”

Childress added that many relief organizations are beginning to use the saying, “the first 72 is on you,” which means that those caught up in a hurricane or other disaster will be expected to sustain themselves and their families for three days afterward, the time it normally takes for disaster agencies to set up shop. The bag, which can help keep refrigerated medicines cold, can be an important part of that plan.

Disaster preparedness is only part of what the senior center does. The center, which has its headquarters on Palmer Street in Robertsdale, offers the “Senior Treasures Gift Shop,” which enables people 55 and over to place their handicrafts for sale on a consignment basis.

“They have to be handmade items, but the makers get 80 percent of the sale price,” Childress said.

The center also offers legal assistance, which provides no cost durable power of attorneys, living wills, and more. Feb. 1 to April 15, the center offers AARP’s Tax Aide program, helping seniors navigate that tricky form 1040, and offers advice on Medicare Part D selection year-round. This also the place for seniors to receive pharmacy and insurance counseling, prescription assistance and a plethora of other services. Call 972-8506 for a complete list.

Some of the most popular programs are the nutrition programs. For $1.25, seniors can enjoy a well-balanced luncheon and the company of other seniors. Meals are served at several locations.

“If people call we can tell them where the closest nutrition site is in their area,” Childress said. “We can also set up frozen meal delivery if someone can’t get out.”

Other popular programs, Childress added are the Wednesday morning knitting class, which uses donated yarn to produce items for charity and the folk art painting and ceramics classes. People come to those two classes as much for the social interaction as the craft. “We have people from the folk art class coming to the ceramics class to visit people in that class. They take out some work to do and just visit.,” Childress said.

“When people call, we keep asking questions until we know exactly how we can help,” said Childress. “Some seniors are very proud, but these programs are something these people have earned. It’s not a handout.”

Leon and Dorothy “Dot” Amos of Robertsdale have found out first hand how much the senior center has to offer. The 61-year married couple was selected to receive a proclamation proclaiming May as Older Americans Month and May 1 as Older American Day from the Baldwin County Commission. According to a U.S. Census Web site, the celebration, “originated with a presidential proclamation in May 1963. It has been proclaimed by presidents every year since then.”

“We appreciate the honor,” said Dot. They have benefitted from the center’s access to pharmacy programs.

“Leon had to have an injection and the insurance had paid the limit,” said Dot.

“I was going to take this on for $600 per injection,” said Leon. “We went to the Senior Center, and they checked with my doctor about it. Now I pay $25 per shot.”

The Amoses still keep a large, perhaps 80 foot by 30 foot vegetable garden. They grow their own vegetables, and have several varieties of fruit trees. Dot says “We don’t sell the extras. We give it away.”

The Amoses have been residents of Robertsdale for 61 years.

“Leon’s daddy got sick,” said Dot. “We came to help his parents. They gave us a lot next to them and we built our house.”

Leon worked for the Sanca meat market in town and walked into Lee’s Drugstore in Robertsdale to see Dot working there.

“I worked all over that store,” Dot recalled. “But I gave him some eyes. I guess it went from there.”

Leon noticed those bright eyes, and soon the couple was in the parsonage of the First Baptist Church exchanging vows.

Dot did have one condition, however.

“She told me if I didn’t quit drinking, I won’t marry you,” Leon recalls.

He says the deal has been worth it.

“Oh Lord, we’ve had a good marriage,” Leon said. “No cross words.”

They’ve watched Robertsdale grow over the years.

“Things have changed,” said Leon. “I think one truck served for everything around here, and the one policeman used his own car.”

The couple has had trials

“Leon had a kidney stone,” recalled Dot. “He was unconscious seven days and seven nights.”

He needed surgery to clear the stone, a risky business in those days.

While Leon was ill, Dot went into labor early.

“I was only seven and a half months along,” recalled Dot.

Their daughter, Joan, was fine, but had to stay in the hospital several weeks. When Joan brought her home, no one could enter the home lest it hurt the baby’s fragile health. Visiting relatives had their first glimpse of the new Amos through a window. At the same time, Dot’s mother-in-law became ill with pneumonia. Dot had to divide her time between a new baby and two sickrooms.

“I didn’t sleep until the baby was six month old,” recalled Dotwith a sigh.

Leon later suffered a back injury and was out of the workforce. Dot was a cafeteria worker in the Robertsdale school system for more than 33 years.

The couple had one daughter, now Joan McKibbon. Their son in law is Richard McKibbon, and the couple has one grandson, Lee McKibbon who is married to Nina. The Amoses have four great-grandchildren.