MERRILLVILLE | Carol Miano often gets phone calls at her home early in the morning and late at night from Merrillville senior citizens looking for help, but she doesn't seem to mind.

For nearly a year, Miano has volunteered to serve as the director of Merrillville's Senior Services program. Her commitment to helping elderly residents hasn't gone unnoticed.

"Miano has a heart bigger than Texas," Town Councilman Lance Huish said.

Senior Services initially was started to give seniors a place to go for more information about health care and other topics, but Miano has expanded the program's services.

The Senior Services desk is located in the clerk-treasurer's office in Town Hall, 7820 Broadway, but Miano often works from home, she said.

All of the program's services are free to senior citizens. Miano said she funds the programs through donations.

The program also has gotten help from local businesses that have donated services for events.

"Our businesses have been phenomenal," Miano said.

Since it started in early January, Senior Services has hosted several events, including a program to inform seniors about identity theft and recent scams that target the elderly.

Senior Services also will host its Hollyday Care Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall. Elderly residents can enjoy free therapeutic hand and foot massages at the event.

Miano also has started a program in which Merrillville High School seniors help elderly residents clean gutters, wash windows, maintain their lawns and do other reasonable tasks.

Miano said she is always looking for ways to boost services for the elderly in Merrillville.

While visiting a senior living community in town last week, Miano found out residents there don't have transportation to get to Town Hall to take advantage of Senior Services.

Providing transportation to the seniors may be difficult, Miano said, so she hopes to bring some of the programs to them.

She also hopes to find a group or organization that will help seniors with their taxes.