GIBSON CO., IN (WFIE) -
The Gibson County Council has approved $30,000 to help keep the Council on Aging in operation through the end of the year. Without that funding, some services would have to be cut.
The GCCOA provides meals, transportation, and activities for seniors programs that would have been cut back or eliminated completely if the money hadn't come in the nick of time.
Seniors here say it's the little things that make this place so special. Playing cards after lunch, winning a round of bingo, and enjoying a cup of coffee and a doughnut. But one thing is most important of all.
"The friendliness, and just a place to get together and just a place to gather, be together and have some fun," said Lois Harpe who visits the senior center.
"It just seems like we're a family here. When one hurts, we all hurt, and when one is happy, we're all happy," said Dale Vaught, visitor at the center.
But for almost a year, seniors and employees say there's been a constant worry about the lack of funding. Executive Director Becky Cederholm says they had lost dollars from previous donors, and their expenses kept rising for food, gas, and to pay employees. She says they had a thirty thousand deficit and were running out of time.
"We had enough money to get through the summer and that was it," said Cederholm.
"We didn't know what was going to happen. Yeah, everything just seemed really low and everything, so we were really happy to get the money to help, yes," said Harpe.
On Monday night, the Gibson County Council approved funding to be given to the senior center, enough to cover the deficit for the rest of the year. Cederholm thinks the council members were surprised at her report about her finances, but also the details about their programs.
"They did see the worth last night. It touched my heart deeply," said Cederholm.
For those who enjoy time at the senior center, they just want to say thank you.
"We appreciate it. We do! We do! More than people understand," said Vaught.
Cederholm says that she will petition for the county for additional money for next year this summer. She believes they should receive it, so they will hopefully not be in this situation again.
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