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Council Celebrates 40 Years of Service to Community The Osceola Council on Aging incorporated as a non profit organization and began to provide social services to the elderly residents of Osceola County in 1971. A volunteer board of directors oversaw the 'all volunteer' organization overseeing meals delivered to homebound elderly residents. In 1975 the board of directors employed the first staff person. June Speir became the first director of the Meals on Wheels program. Mrs. Speir provided the leadership and ingenuity to manage the program with limited funding for three years before she retired. Soon after, the volunteer board of directors recognized the ever expanding needs in the community and followed up with congregate sites for the elderly to gather and socialize and improve their nutrition. One site grew to two, then three. When friends shared with friends through more traditional social service networks of schools, churches and community groups the congregate site participation increased. Transportation needs followed as the senior clients gave up driving. With just a 15 passenger van clients were picked up and dropped off back at home by volunteer drivers and the Council started to be seen as the caregiver of the elderly an identify that continues to this day. This month the Osceola Council on Aging celebrates its 40th anniversary with a party for our chamber of commerce partners on Wednesday, June 22 preceded by a anniversary birthday celebration in the congregate program from 9am until noon. Do you have memories of your grandparents, parents, friends, relatives or yourself participating in those early years? If so, we'd love to hear from you, and especially see any photos. Thanks Osceola County for supporting YOUR council on aging throughout the years! |
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