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In September, Davie County Senior Services celebrated their Ruby Anniversary.
Originally, the 40th anniversary celebration was to be on Sept. 27, as the conclusion of Senior Center Month, but the weather had other plans. The party was rescheduled for Oct. 1. County Commissioner, Benita Finney read the history of Davie County Senior Services as well as shared 1984 trivia.
Although formally recognized as a Senior Center in 1984, the history of this organization dates back much farther. Details about the early years are sketchy; however, it appears that the first concept of an organized place for Davie seniors to gather dates back to the 1970s, when Yadkin Valley Economic Development District (YVEDDI) started the lunch program for seniors. Several activities that interested the seniors were organized and a group of volunteers got together to form a council.
This volunteer group worked to increase the amount of activities for seniors and advocated to form a Senior Center. Their efforts were recognized by then County Manager Charles Mashburn. During the fiscal year of 1983/1984 the county applied for, and received, $24,000 to renovate the old school cafeteria in the Brock Building. A new kitchen, sewing room and craft room were constructed. Other activities continued and there became increasing interest in creating a formal Senior Center.
In 1984, an advisory committee was formed. According to records, original members of this group were Rosie Carter, Mary Buchanan, Wilma Smith, Marie Miller, Louise Stroud, Grace Shurley, Ruth Brock, Virginia Plott, Henrietta Holman, Prudence Johnson, Rebecca Zander and Eva Walden. Louise Stroud remained continuously on the council for 20 years.
In 1985, the county was awarded a second grant to begin Phase II of the construction and renovation. At that time, Davie County hired their first Senior Center Director, Kathy Tomlinson, and made plans to add on another meeting room, office facilities and more restrooms. With the completion of construction and a paid staff person to direct activities, opportunities for seniors continued to increase.
Over the last 40 years, many changes and continued improvements have occurred.
In 1997 the Nutrition Program, which had been instrumental in the earliest beginnings of the agency, came under the management of the Davie Senior Center. More services for the seniors continued to be added, and in 2002 county commissioners voted to formally change the name of the organization to Davie County Senior Services. This name change more adequately described the scope of offerings.
Today, Davie County Senior Services plays a vital role in the community. Their mission is to provide seniors with accessible services and opportunities for fellowship, fun and learning through activities and programs that enrich lives. That mission is accomplished through numerous programs and activities including exercise classes, Yoga, Zumba, social events, day trips, educational seminars, intergenerational programs, health screenings, community events, the daily lunch program, seasonal parties, and volunteer opportunities. Services include homebound meals, caregiver support program, insurance assistance, and two professional social workers who can assist seniors in obtaining a wide variety of information and services.
As the focal point for aging services in Davie County, they serve the community by providing information and education on aging related topics.
A task force was formed 20 years ago with funding from the NC General Assembly to make plans for the building Senior Services building today – the Bobby H. Knight Senior Services Building, which opened in 2007.
In 2019, Davie Senior Services was awarded the Ann Johnson NC Senior Center of the Year Award.
In 2021, Senior Services was re-certified as NC Senior of Excellence and proudly opened the Senior Services Health & Fitness Center at the Brock Gym Campus.
The past few years have seen nothing but growth in opportunities and programs from Davie Senior Services, especially with the addition of a senior recreation facility.
In 2024, Davie Senior Games exploded and reached an all-time high of 230 registered participants, and received the Peaks of Greatness Award and the 2023 Record Breaker Award at the 2024 Senior Games Conference.
In the fiscal year 2023-2024, Senior Services had 37,483 visits for senior center activities seeing more than 2,000 unduplicated clients – this is the highest ever participation – and an increase from 2023 of 6,730 participants or 21.9% growth.
And, Senior Services does not see growth stopping there.Each quarter, the staff works to provide new and innovative programs and explores new services to exceed the past and plan for the future.
The future of Davie County Senior Services seems to be just as exciting as the past 40 years.
Davie County Senior Services would like to thank the community for believing in the mission and invites everyone to become involved as a volunteer or a participant. To join Senior Services, one must be 55 or better.
To learn more, contact Senior Services at 336-753-6230.