The Clay County Senior Center will make improvements after receiving an estimated $50,000 grant from the Department of Disability and Aging.
Clay County Senior Center Director Sandra Wix said she wants to build a storage shed for spare medical equipment. Wix also said she plans to improve the raised garden beds behind the Senior Center.
“We are gonna use part of the funds to pour concrete out there to make it more level and safe for some of the seniors that are on walkers to be able to get out there and be able to participate, sit outside if they choose,” Wix said.
Wix said the Senior Center battles a small budget due to being in a rural county. Wix said receiving the funding is crucial, as it will also help cover the cost of several programs and activities.
“This funding helps us to be able to do and pay for them to do craft art projects, to go on outings, even go on, we are also looking at going on a maybe a bus trip,” Wix said. “So this will help that greatly to help people be able to go out and do things and enjoy themselves that they otherwise might not be able to afford.”
Wix said the Senior Center has been growing, especially with more seniors moving to the county. Wix said she hopes the Senior Center’s improvements will attract more people to participate.
“We are looking to have also some cornhole boards, and just a little seating area out there that they can just sit outside to each lunch if they choose,” Wix said. “So yeah, I think it will help greatly to help us continue to grow, because this is more stuff that we can offer.”
The Clay County Senior Center was one of 125 Senior Centers across the state to receive funding. The DDA awarded an estimated $5 million, with each senior center receiving anywhere from $10,000-$50,000.
