The Overton County Senior Center will receive $50,000 in state money to help upgrade its facility and programs.
State Representative Ed Butler said the grant was part of $5 million set aside in the state budget to support 125 senior centers across the state. Butler said the county took the initiative to apply for the grants and prepared the documentation to get the money.
“These senior citizen centers provide valuable resources for a community of their peers,” Butler said. “And so I think it gives a better life for some of these folks that may not have any family, or have any family that has survived them so this allows them to live a better quality of life.”
The grant money can go toward restoring the building, equipment, senior activities, and routine operation. Butler said we cannot do enough to support local seniors and local senior citizen centers.
“A lot of times I think our seniors get forgotten,” Butler said. “They’re a valuable resource of wisdom, they provide a lot of experience, and sometimes we need some of that wisdom. Many times some of these seniors don’t really have any other community, they don’t have any other family, or their spouse has passed away.”
Butler said the grant money will better allow the senior centers to better service the seniors. Butler said he is proud his district was able to receive these vital grants.
“Well I think its important for Overton to receive this aid because it better allows the senior citizen center to better service our seniors,” Butler said. “This provides activities throughout the week a lot of times, special activities throughout the week to keep them out and about and in the community and involved with some of their peers.”
Butler said Overton Senior Day takes place at the local fairgrounds every year, and the large turnout is a strong indicator of both support and demand for this grant. Butler said about 300-400 seniors attend Senior Day every year.
“I think that’s a good indicator that there is lots of resources available and lots of community need or you wouldn’t have so many people show up for Senior Day,” Butler said.
