By: Ryan Duey
A large crowd of community leaders, members, and State representatives gathered at the Clay County Museum on Thursday, November 14th, to attend the Clay County Task Force’s Annual Meeting.
The Task Force is a non-profit organization with a mission to provide services to meet the needs of Seniors in the Community, along with providing affordable public transportation to all citizens in Clay County.
Donna Long-Lenhart, Task Force President, awarded a check for $40,000 to Mayor Thatcher for the City to use on the new Multi-Generational Life Center.
Long-Lenhart said she is surprised and excited about the success of the Task Force. She praised the employees and other organizations in the County for bringing such success. She highlighted what got her involved with the Task Force.
“One of the main reasons I’ve been involved in this is this is a way for people to have independence as they grow older. They can continue to live in Clay County, where they want to be. They don’t have to be in assisted living or long-term care until it’s actually required. And this is a way for us to care for better than 25% of the population in Clay County, and it’s growing. Quality of life is a really important thing and that’s what we’re trying to do for the people of Clay County. Senior programs and Senior transportation is important for everyone.”
Long-Lenhart spoke about the Task Force’s mission and provided more detail on ways they support Seniors in the County. On top of public transportation, the organization offers meals, exercise, and social services to local Seniors. Long-Lenhart spoke of some of the Senior programs they provide.
“I’d just like to highlight a little bit more about our Senior Programs. I told you already about the Client Programs and how they look. We serve over 65 once a day, it varies from 65 up to 90, this is Monday through Friday. Those meals are served at Apollo Towers now, they will be served at the new Senior Center, at noontime. And that’s where people who want to can come and socialize and have meals with the others. They can come and sit down and have their meal.”
Along with providing free meals at Apollo Towers, the Task Force, and local volunteers also offer Meals on Wheels to Seniors, offering them a hot meal and socialization from the comfort of their home. The Senior Center will move to the Multi-Generational Life Center once it’s complete.
The Task Force’s goals for 2025 are to gauge interest from area Seniors on what programs and activities they’d like to see once the new Senior Center is complete. Work will then be done, in partnership with the City of Clay Center, on plans for furnishing and equipment for the Center, along with hiring and training of staff before the Multi-Generational Life Center opens.
As a non-profit organization, the Clay County Task Force relies on grants and donations to provide these services to the County. As with most area non-profits, Long-Lenhart said COVID funding is no longer provided, and they will need support from the community to keep the Task Force going in the future. Donations are always accepted and will go a long way in keeping these quality-of-life services in the area.
