Community Connections

SENIOR ENRICHMENT CENTER OPENS ITS DOORS!

The Senior Enrichment Center at Renaissance on 9^th officially opened its doors Tuesday, May 20^th with a Grand Opening celebration.  Over 500 seniors and community members attended

the event at 1816 9^th Street West in Bradenton, to witness the ribbon cutting, enjoy music, sample food, and take tours of the building.  Meals on Wheels PLUS Board Chairman, Darrell Turner welcomed the crowd with President/CEO Ellen Campbell.  E. Douglas Beach, PhD., Secretary of Elder Affairs, traveled from Tallahassee to join the celebration and speak about

the state’s commitment to seniors.  Assisting with the ribbon-cutting were local officials

including former Senator John McKay, Bradenton Police Chief Michael Radzilowski, Mayor

of Bradenton Wayne Poston, and Mayor of Palmetto, Larry Bustle.

The Renaissance on 9^th facility includes the Senior Enrichment Center, Turner Ballroom,  Weinberg Health Clinic, and 9^th Street Bistro.  More than 100 new members joined the Senior Enrichment Center at Tuesday’s celebration, bringing total membership to almost 450 active adults.  Officials say there is room for many more members, and all those over age 50 are encouraged to call for a tour and get programming details.  Those interested in learning more about the Senior Enrichment Center or rental opportunities at Renaissance on 9^th can             call 749-0100.

Left to Right: John McKay, Chief Michael Radziloski, E. Douglas Beach, Darrell Turner, Ellen Campbell, Mayor Wayne Poston and Mayor Larry Bustle.

From left to right, Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, and Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston listen to Dr. Douglas Beach, Secretary of Florida Department of Elder Affairs, speak on the importance of senior enrichment centers, like the new one in Bradenton called Renaissance on Ninth, 1816 9th St. W., part of Meals on Wheels PLUS.

Senior centers offer a variety of activities, from fitness to cooking to arts or just a means of socializing for elderly citizens, said Secretary Beach, adding that Bradenton’s senior center is a model for the State of Florida. “Socialization is 90% of what we need to do for the senior population,” he said.

Renaissance on Ninth started roughly five years ago with a survey that showed the City

of Bradenton and Manatee County were “senior friendly” but lacking a senior center, making

this the largest Florida community without one, Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston said.

The senior center is located on Ninth Street West, a main north-south corridor into

downtown Bradenton. The renovated building is complete with ample parking a

beautiful landscape, courtesy of Turner Tree and Landscape.

“Our location has worked well for the City of Bradenton,” Mayor Poston said. “It’s easy

access, easy to get to. To be honest, it’s also an opportunity for redevelopment in this area.”

The center’s activities are starting; some of the fitness classes are ongoing, and

more is expected to begin in November. For more information, call the center at

(941) 749-0100, visit the Meals on Wheels Website or stop by in person.

Sen. Bennett said “we have everything we need” for a successful senior center,

including support from local governments and the private sector, but the senior center

needs just a bit more in the money department to meet its goals. “We have a

Mayor who’s fighting for the seniors,” Sen. Bennett added.

Congressman Vern Buchanan visited Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee headquarters in February to discuss the needs of Manatee County seniors with President/CEO, Ellen Campbell.

Buchanan not only learned about the homebound delivery program that provides healthy meals to frail  or disabled seniors at their homes throughout the county, but he was also introduced to the other programs run by Meals on Wheels PLUS.