FREDERICKTOWN — Members of the Fredericktown community interested in senior citizen health and wellness have been working together on an application to include Fredericktown in the 2009 Knox County Senior Levy.
According to Dan Humphrey, a member of the Fredericktown Area Senior Advisory Committee, an informal group of eight members which has been working on preparing the grant application, Fredericktown’s application is centered around a three-point wellness theme.
Humphrey said research has shown being physically active, challenging one’s brain and staying socially active are important for seniors.
The effort has been aided by a partnership with the Fredericktown Recreation District, which Humphrey said would be the physical agent for the program.
If Fredericktown’s participation is approved, the old Fredericktown High School would be utilized for senior activities, including group exercise classes, lectures and book reviews, as well as programs put together by Knox Community Hospital regarding nutrition and senior wellness.
The involvement of KCH personnel would also facilitate a new once-a-month wellness program which would be available to seniors.
Humphrey said the school gymnasium would be available to seniors for walking, and a senior citizen room would be open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seniors could drop in anytime to use a computer, play cards, watch television or visit with friends.
A new part-time programming director would be hired with the funding, and would be responsible for planning activities and developing programming.
According to Humphrey, the programming could include everything from classes and lectures to a senior basketball league.
“I’m looking at this from two points,” explained Humphrey, who is the Fredericktown School Superintendent. “This would be good for the welfare of the senior citizens, and we’re trying to be a good steward of this building. It’s a way to utilize this facility.”
Humphrey said the programming would not replace the activities which are offered at the Fredericktown Senior Citizen Building on the public square, including day trips and the monthly potluck.
Instead, he hopes the new programming will eventually be moved to the planned Fredericktown Community Center some day.
Paul Higgins, who serves on the advisory board for the Knox County Senior Levy, said applications for funding are due Jan. 15.
“First we will determine if they are eligible, and then the process will continue,” Higgins explained.
He said sometimes hearings are held during the process.
“We then see what funds have been certified by the auditor,” he said.
Higgins said agencies must apply for funding each year during the five-year levy.
“The board makes recommendations to the Knox County Commissioners, who have the final say,” he said.
The Centerburg Senior Center, The Station Break, The Sanctuary in Danville, the Knox County Health Department, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program and Foster Grandparents receive levy funding, according to Higgins.
“Anyone 60 or older is eligible for any of the programs the levy supports,” Higgins said. He said meals programs for seniors receive top priority.
Humphrey said letters of support for Fredericktown’s participation have been provided by the Fredericktown Village Council, the Fredericktown Community Area Development Foundation and the Fredericktown Recreation District.
“This was an extensive application and it took some considerable effort to put it together,” Humphrey said.
The levy funding for this year becomes available April 1.
