Local Senior Centers Receive Additional Grant Money

By Jonathan Weaver

At the beginning of October, seven of the 12 Armstrong County senior community centers were awarded a total of nearly-$24,500 in grant funding from the State.

PA Department of Aging Secretary Brian Duke visited three of those fortunate locations Monday – the senior centers in Kittanning and Freeport and the satellite center in Bradys Bend.

Bradys Bend is to receive a portion of the $12,665 awarded to Kittanning for technological improvements.

“We’re honored to be here today to share the news that Gov. Tom Corbett (issued) a grant of just-over $12,000 to the Kittanning Senior Center and the satellite here in Bradys Bend to help acquire technology, which will be interactive and help the participants maintain their health and wellness and socialization,” Secretary Duke said.

“It’s good for Armstrong. You have a great community.”

Satellite Center Manager Marilyn McCall said the center has a Nintendo Wii gaming system for entertainment, but the current television at American Legion Post #448 in East Brady is about 15 feet off the ground – too high for active seniors, she said.

McCall – wife of Parker City Mayor and Agency on Aging Advisory Board President William – looked forward to the 60-inch Smart TV, iPod and $250 worth of iTunes music, and a computerized system to keep track of activities and order meals to cut down on paperwork.

“I really am thrilled to have this,” McCall said. “And I’m planning to hold bowling tournaments, maybe some tennis matches to get more people involved. You don’t want to have a system that only two or three people use.

“We don’t have enough activities to draw new people in.”

Secretary Duke told the 25 senior citizens in Bradys Bend Monday afternoon that the goal is the grant does in fact bring in some new or long-lost faces.

“The grants we hope will help make the senior center more-attractive to those who aren’t coming in the door yet to utilize technology or take part in fun activities that would draw them into the community. We think that’s important,” Secretary Duke said.

Shula DiPento was one of the women who petitioned commissioners for a satellite center in 1981. She still attends today despite her back problems, and hoped the new technology allows residents to exercise and watch educational programs.

“We had a good time and a lot of good people here,” said “But it kept getting less and less.”

Temple University in Philadelphia will analyze how the grants are used and see if they are making a difference – perhaps impacting senior center grants in the future.

Kate Burke, of Queenstown Road, has been visiting the satellite center since 2006 and was actually the center manager from 2006-10. She and husband, Ken, have been doing “whatever needs to be done” since.

“This is the first time we had anyone visit us like this. It’s a pleasant surprise – a wonderful opportunity,” Burke said.

Burke and Margie Junker said it is the strong friendship that keeps them coming back twice per week.

“It’s like a family,” Junker said. “When somebody feels bad, we feel bad.”

Commissioners David Battaglia and Bob Bower thanked both Secretary Duke for his visit and Armstrong Area Agency on Aging Executive Director Janet Talerico for her efforts throughout the year.

“Her heart and soul’s with the program,” Bower said.

Secretary Duke shared the agency’s mission – to enhance the quality of life for older Pennsylvanian’s by empowering individuals, families and communities – with residents.

Secretary Duke also visited Armstrong County’s Distant Senior Center in May during ‘Older American’s Month.’
Of the 550 senior community centers statewide that provides a variety of programs, about $2 million was distributed to 67 senior community centers and the seven in Armstrong County – including Apollo, Freeport, Kittanning, Leechburg, Parker, Rural Valley and Worthington.
Most of the technological advancements include for improved internet access, the Nintendo Will gaming system and iPod Touch docking capabilities and music downloads.

The Elderton senior center was awarded a similar grant in August.