KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging (TDDA) recently awarded a total of $3 million in grants to 72 senior centers across the state. The Carter Senior Center in Knoxville received $28,000.
"That's very significant for the senior center," said April Tomlin, a senior services manager with Knox County Senior Services. "We're very proud of that."
Tomlin said the center plans to buy new exercise equipment for its gym and furniture for its lobby with the grant.
She said the grant has come during a time of growth for the center.
"When we first started, we would serve 400 people. Now, we're serving 2,000 a month," Tomlin said.
The Carter Senior Center is one of six operated by Knox County Senior Services. Senior services submitted applications for all six, but Carter was the only one TDDA chose, Tomlin said.
Tomlin said several others have seen growing community engagement like Carter.
"Karns Senior Center serves about 2,000 a month. The West Knox County center serves anywhere from 3,000 – 4,000 a month," she said.
Tomlin said figuring out the exact amount of stuff the Carter Center will be able to buy is hard. Rising prices and waiting for the state to distribute the grant means the center's plans could change slightly, she said.
For Nancy Turner, a Knox County resident and frequent visitor to the center, more money means more opportunities to do the things she loves.
"You can play cards, you can have computer classes, you work out, you can play pool, we have Zumba, which I love," Turner said.
She started visiting the center after the death of her husband, she said.
The end of her 58-year marriage to the love of her life left her distraught. With the encouragement of her daughter, she decided to visit and hasn't looked back, Turner said.
"From the moment I walked in, I was met with such wonderful people showing me love and companionship, just the heartwarming that I felt here, I immediately felt like I was home," Turner said.