Enjoying locally-made chili this weekend will help seniors in Clay County during the 16th Annual Chili Cook-Off.
Clay County Senior Center Director Sandra Wix said Saturday’s event serves as the biggest fundraiser of the year. Wix said the center provides essential services to residents, including fun and interactive experiences.
“We have no fees you just come in and sign up, but it provides a respite for people especially for widows and widowers that have lost their loved one.” Wix said. “And it’s company to a lot of the people.”
Wix said many of the center’s retirees moved to Clay County from a different state. The latest census data shows seniors make up a quarter of Clay’s population. Wix said Dale Hollow Lake attracts seniors to the area.
“We have people from Michigan, from Florida, from Minnesota, we had several people that had moved to our area,” Wix said. “And it’s all because of the cost of living. When they retire, it’s cheaper than the states that they were coming from.”
More than 300 seniors are registered, but Wix said other seniors visit for warm meals. Some seniors come to the center, Wix said, for the Upper Cumberland Public Transportation Services.
“Some of them, people, just come to the center to get travel vouchers to ride the U cart busses for free,” Wix said. “And that is a service that we have just for seniors 60 and above.”
Wix said many seniors might use the transportation services for doctors appointments, to pick up medicine or for grocery runs.
Wix said the center also provides seniors with exercise opportunities. Wix said programs like Thai chi, Drums Alive, indoor shuffle board and other games keep seniors citizens involved.
“Our facility is, provides a lot of fun, interactive experience for all of our seniors of Clay County,” Wix said. “That we are like age 60 and above.”
You can support local seniors by enjoying lunch Saturday at the historic Clay County Courthouse. The event begins at 11:30am. Wix said the Center earns the majority of its funds through the sell of collectible mugs, in different colors each year.
