Carteret County Senior Services announced on May 4 that it will hold a free Shred-a-Thon for county residents aged 50 and older. The event is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Leon Mann, Jr. Enrichment Center in Morehead City.
The initiative aims to help older adults protect themselves from identity theft by providing a secure way to dispose of sensitive documents. “We want our seniors to feel empowered and protected in their own communities,” said Shelly Ashley, Director of Carteret County Senior Services. “This event is a simple, free step anyone can take to make sure their personal information does not fall into the wrong hands.”
Participants must show proof of residency with both a photo ID and an official document displaying their current address such as a utility bill or voter registration card. The event is funded through the Senior Medicare Patrol Identity Shred-a-Thon/Fraud Prevention Grant.
Residents are encouraged to bring papers containing personal information like bank statements or credit card offers; all materials will be shredded on-site and recycled afterward. Businesses are not allowed to participate, and items such as binders, newspapers, magazines, catalogs, electronics, metal hanging folders, and binder clips will not be accepted.
While this event addresses senior safety concerns in Carteret County, educational outcomes remain an important topic locally as well. Of 554 senior students taking the science portion of the ACT in Carteret County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, only about one-third were considered ready for college according to data from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Similar results were seen among juniors: out of 563 junior students taking science ACTs that year in local schools, just under two-fifths met college readiness benchmarks according to state figures.
Reading scores showed higher levels of preparedness: nearly half (47.5%) of senior students demonstrated college readiness on reading ACTs as reported by state education officials, while slightly more than half (51%) of juniors did so according to available data. Math scores lagged behind other subjects with only about one-third (34.3%) of seniors and just over one-third (35.5%) of juniors reaching college-ready standards based on state statistics.
No appointment is necessary for those wishing to attend the Shred-a-Thon. Additional details are available at www.carteretcountync.gov or by contacting Carteret County Senior Services.
