Seniors who are making a difference despite their age.

Age poses no limits for Liberty seniors



By Edith Anderson
Correspondent
Posted: Feb. 19, 2007 12:55 p.m.
Updated: March 6, 2007 5:09 a.m.



Age is nothing but a number — especially to a group of senior citizens who volunteer their services to help make life a little brighter for other people.
The volunteers of the Hazel B. Carter Senior Citizens’ Center in Hinesville enjoy getting out of the house and being part of the center’s activities. Not only do they attend as seniors, they also provide volunteer services.
Gloria Simmons has worked at the center for 23 years and has served as its director for 15 years. She is pleased with her group of volunteers and the seniors who attend the center.
“We have about 90 seniors in the program. Wilhelmina Jasper, 91, Anna Hendrix, 90, and Lola Dixon, 90, are the oldest attendees,” Simmons said.
“The volunteers are a big help at the center and to me. Some of the seniors, such as Anna Overstreet and Bernice Bacon, have been with the agency (Coastal Georgia) for 30 years,” Simmons said. Both Overstreet and Bacon used to work for the agency, now they volunteer their services.
“I worked with the agency for 17 years. I love volunteering,” Bacon said.
Another volunteer, Willie Mae Hutto, will be 82 on her next birthday. She ran a daycare center for 20 years and volunteers by helping with the commodities. Boksoon Aspinwall also serves as a volunteer.
“She takes up plates, serves the seniors, and takes care of the flowers. She is a jack of all trades,” Simmons said.
Olner Nobles, another young volunteer, will be 84 in April. She does the 30-minute exercise program for the seniors every Wednesday from 10-10:30 a.m. Retired teacher Mamie Clay, who will be 85 in March, ran the exercise program prior to Mrs. Nobles taking over the effort.
“I love to get out and be with the group; and I love helping Mrs. Simmons,” Clay said.
Dorothy Mosely, another retired educator, has volunteered at the center for five years.
“I like to make myself useful in helping others. I feel it is one of my callings,” Mosely said.
Weida Ray volunteers as president of the sunshine committee. At 74, she still works one day a week as an assistant secretary with Fiber Flo Insurance. “Canzola Scott serves as a kitchen assistant, and Gladys Nettles serves as my armor bearer and office clerk,” Simmons said. Scott is 83 years young.
“Ernestine Taylor does a little bit of everything. Though she is 79, she assists in serving lunch, helps the seniors, and does arts and crafts,” Simmons said. “Barbara Golden is another volunteer who helps in various areas. She calls bingo, and helps the seniors when they go on trips.”
Golden said, “I worked in nursing and am a retired Fort Stewart civil service employee.”
The volunteers are recognized by the Equal Opportunity Authority Seniors’ Volunteer Program in Savannah in June, and Coastal Georgia also recognizes them in October,” Simmons said.
The services the volunteers provide help to make center a better and more comfortable place for senior citizens to gather and fellowship, she noted.