New faces at helm of senior center

After changes to the advisory board, the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle is seeking volunteers to help with existing programs and institute new activities.

In December, former president Sue Reed of Carrabelle Beach left her position due to family medical problems and several of her coworkers stepped down with her, leaving the center shortstaffed. Only James Lawlor, of Carrabelle, remained as treasurer of the board.

Herschel Blanchett, a Tallahassee resident who maintains a second home in Lanark Village, agreed to act as interim president, and his wife Annelle is now secretary. Mark Collins, of Carrabelle, is vice president. Dot Bless, of Lanark Village, George Jackson, of Carrabelle, and Cathy Puckett, of Carrabelle, have also agreed to serve as interim board members.

Blanchett said the current board will serve only until a general election can be held in October.

He said the center is actively seeking new board members and volunteers to help with operations there. "If they have some business experience, that's wonderful. If they can wash dishes, that's wonderful too," he said.

Both board members and volunteers can come from anywhere in the county. The center was built entirely with private donations. Both it, and the block on which it stands, are the property of all Franklin County seniors.

The center is particularly in need of a volunteer receptionist who Blanchett said would be someone with a key to come and open the door every day.

When asked about the resignation of former board members he said he believed the center had always been well run but added, "There is a tendency for anyone to burn out because there are so few volunteers."

The center is currently serving breakfast on Tuesday and lunch on Thursday. This month, the center began airing films during the lunch. They also host bingo on Monday evenings and an over-50 dance on the first Saturday of each month at 7 p.m.

The board said they hope to encourage more recreational activities and are trying to promote Wednesday as a games day. They also hope to increase lunch service to three days a week.

There is a recommended, but voluntary, donation for meals, $2 for breakfast and $3 for lunch.

"We'd rather them come and visit than sit at home alone because they don't have the money. There are a lot of lonely seniors in the county," Blanchett said.

The board also hopes to erect an adult day care on the site of the senior center. He said there is a house available but volunteers would be needed to move it to the site.

Blanchett said that in the future, he hopes the center will go in a slightly different direction, moving its focus away from health care and toward recreational and educational activities. He also said he feels the center must partner more with other facilities for seniors in the area.