May designated as
By Glenda Sanders
Contributing writer
S
enior adults make their mark throughout our
community every day working as foster grand-
parents in the schools, delivering meals to those
who are homebound, or greeting visitors at the
information desk in local hospitals.
May is designated as Older Americans Month, a
special time to recognize senior adults and their con-
tributions of their time, talents and experience to help
keep businesses, schools, non-profit organizations and
charities running.
“It’s good to recognize our seniors and let them
know we appreciate what they do for us and what
they have done for us,” said Kathy Anderson, acting
president of the Lauderdale County Council on Aging.
Locally, the Council on Aging plans activities and
events to observe the month.
Older Americans Month was established in 1963
when President John F. Kennedy issued a procla-
mation designating May as Senior Citizens Month,
the prelude to Older Americans Month. Every year
since, the president has issued a formal proclamation
during or before the month of May asking the nation
to pay tribute to older persons in their communities,
according to the Administration for Community
Living (ACL) website. ACL leads the national Older
Americans Month observance.
The theme for this year’s celebration is Make Your
Mark.
“This year’s theme highlights older adults’ unique
and lasting contributions to their communities – every-
26•
thing from sharing a story with grandchildren to leav-
ing a legacy of community action,” according to the
ACL website.
Anderson said senior adults’ donation of their
time helps keep a lot of social programs operating in
Meridian and Lauderdale County, including the Foster
Grandparents Program, Retired and Senior Volunteer
Program (RSVP), Feed by Faith, LOVE’s Kitchen and
Meals on Wheels. They volunteer at local hospitals,
schools, churches and hospice agencies, among other
organizations, she added.
In turn, seniors’ volunteering gives them a chance to
stay involved, keep active and relate their wisdom and
experience to a younger generation, Anderson said.
The Lauderdale County Council on Aging had
planned several events for the month, but as the feder-
al and state governments try to stem the spread of the
coronavirus, those events may have to be postponed
or canceled, Anderson said. A decision will be made as
more guidance comes from city and government lead-
ers.
Senior adults who wish to get more involved in
the community can contact the Retired and Senior
Volunteer Program at 601-482-0512; the Multi-County
Community Service Agency which oversees the
Foster Grandparent and Meals on Wheels programs
at 601-483-4838; Feed by Faith Ministry at 601-483-
8999; LOVE’s Kitchen at 601-693-1409; or contact your
church office or one of the hospitals to see if they are
in need of volunteers.
TIMELESS MERIDIAN