![]( "The Nassau County Council on Aging officially opens its doors at the new Life Center in Fernandina Beach. The expanded space includes a large kitchen, themed rooms and numerous activities for the county’s senior citizens. It also includes meeting rooms.")
The Nassau County Council on Aging officially opens its doors at the new Life Center in Fernandina Beach. The expanded space includes a large kitchen, themed rooms and numerous activities for the county’s senior citizens. It also includes meeting rooms.
Nassau County Council on Aging officially opened the doors to the new home at 1901 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach Tuesday morning.
Several politicians and senior services representatives attended the Life Center’s opening.
Fifteen months after Hurricane Irma caused more than $1 million in catastrophic damage to the building, NCCOA’s new home is poised to double and triple the number of seniors served in Nassau County. A 25,500-square-foot facility, the Life Center features a commercial-grade kitchen complete with state-of-the-art appliances and a serving line for congregate meals for seniors. The Nutrition Support Program will nearly double the number of meals provided to seniors by 2020, as well as provide volunteer organizations with a nutrition center to prepare meals for the homebound and serve as a learning center by offering healthy cooking classes for seniors.
The facility’s Grand Hall, Heritage Hall and Conference Room are prepared to host numerous groups and meetings. The Media Lounge and Café are ready for small-group conversations and coffee-sipping. The Health and Fitness Room has been buzzing with Yoga, Tai Chi and Tap Dancing classes, and handmade greeting cards, jewelry and ornaments have appeared from behind the doors of the Arts and Crafts Room.
The Game Room is just about ready to spring into action, as a billiard table may be in the works. What makes these areas extra special is that generous donors have named and furnished many of these rooms. There are still plenty of opportunities available to be a lasting part of the NCCOA legacy to the community.
“While our vision of a Life Center large enough to help take care of the seniors in our community has become a reality, this is only the beginning. Our seniors truly deserve so much more,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA president and CEO. “We are grateful for more than $1.9 million in gifts and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations and local and state government that help us continue the good work of fundraising in order to fully deliver on our promise.
“However, we have $1.3 million to go to meet our goal of providing a debt-free facility so that we can focus all of our resources on expanding and delivering programs and services to seniors in our community. Gifts come in all sizes. … Seniors are depending on us to allow them to age with independence and dignity, through friendship and social interaction, and with safety and compassion.”
More than 80 classes and lifelong learning opportunities are available for adults of all ages January through March, with topics such as wellness, music, cards, games, literary arts and more.
NCCOA’s Adult Day HealthCare Program, which is the only one of its kind within Northeast Florida, will relocate to 1901 Island Walkway in January, doubling the capacity for potential attendees.
Visit www.nassaucountycoa.org to learn more.