AUSTINTOWN — While members of the local Police and Fire Retirees and Widows of Ohio Association stay informed on the latest retirement pension changes, they also stay active with various gatherings as well as give back to the local community.

Members of District 2 Chapter 10 gathered recently at the Austintown Senior Center to celebrate and collect toys and games to be given to Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley.

A table at the center was filled with various items, such as coloring books, toy cars, puzzles and crayons, which were placed in bags to be delivered to the hospital.

Carol deSaulles of Boardman, president of the local chapter, said the members are very generous.

“The members will step up and help wherever they can. They are a very generous group of people. This month, we are helping Akron Children’s,” deSaulles said.

deSaulles, whose husband John “J.B” deSaulles was assistant fire chief in Boardman and a firefighter from 1954 to 1995, said while the group gets updates of changes in retirements at the state level, there is also time for programs and guest speakers at the meetings in April, July, October and December each year at the senior center.

“This is a great group of people. There are retired police officers, firefighters and the widows of police and firefighters who want to get together to hear about programs and services they can benefit from and about what is taking place in Columbus,” she said

She said she provides a newsletter on what state legislatures are doing related to retirees.

deSaulles said the group has more than 50 members, and anyone who is a retired police officer, firefighter or widow of someone who served as a police officer or firefighter is encouraged to join.

Steve Bissell, a retired firefighter from Youngstown, said he enjoys the camaraderie of the group at dinners and picnics, but also being updated on important information that can help retirees.

Representatives of different groups will speak to the members, such as from St. Elizabeth Hospital, American Senior Benefits or the Green Team, which discussed recycling.

deSaulles said one program showed retirees how to use and program a cellphone and another on prescription drug assistance.

For the new year, she plans to make sure people are getting the information they need.

Wanda Davis of Boardman, whose husband Robert was a firefighter, said she gains so much by listening to the various speakers.

“I appreciate that the senior center provides us this space to meet. We are like a family who get together a couple of times a year. I want to know of any changes in rules and regulations,” Davis said.

Diana Begalla of Austintown said her husband, Steve, was a firefighter for Boardman. She said they were married for seven years when he died.

“I like being with others who can relate to what you have faced or gone through in your life. They know the situation and issues you face,” Begalla said.

Rosemarie McGuire of Canfield, whose husband Philip was a Youngstown firefighter, served as president, secretary and treasurer for the group for many years.

McGuire said she likes being able to be with others who had a spouse who was a police officer or firefighter.

Rich Holzschuh, a retired police officer from Youngstown, said he has served as president of the group, and while it is fun to get together, it is also important to stay updated on the latest changes in retirement and pensions.

“It is important to know what is going on and to ask for help if you have questions and concerns,” he said.

He said when his father died in 1980, his mother received a police pension and things have changed over the years.

“We spoke to different people about what she would get. That is why it is so important for retirees to stay informed. You need to know what is going on and that there are people who will fight for you. My mom’s pension was at a poverty level until we reached out and got help,” Holzschuh said.

The group has associate members who may be dating or attending with a member whose spouse is deceased.

For information on being a member, call 330-758-8275.