JOHN COFFELTEditor

The State of Tennessee awarded the Coffee County Senior Citizens Center an $8,000 grant during a presentation ceremony held Sept. 13 at the facility.

Presenting the check was state Commission on Aging and Disability Executive Director James Dunn.

“A lot of people don’t realize we have 1.5 million children in this state,” Dunn said. “We have 1.68 million people who are 60 and above.”

Dunn said that the state General Assembly allocated money in the budget for a competitive grant for senior centers across the state.

Dunn remarked how full the center, located at 603 Woodbury Highway, Manchester, was with local residents.

“What that says to me is there is a lot of love,” Dunn said. “You are a blessing to one another. You have great staff and a lot of people care.”

Dunn said the worst thing that can happen is for the elderly to be isolated.

The center’s director Diane Jernigan said the money will be used for a variety of different items.

“We’re going to be able to buy a new coffeepot, washer and dryer, some items for the office and some outdoor furniture (for) the outdoor space,” Jernigan said.

The new space is especially helpful for seniors who get cold with the air conditioning on.

She said that it was because of the number of people who regularly attend events at the center is the reason it was awarded the grant.

“We are like a big family,” Jernigan said. “They come to activities. I just couldn’t be blessed with a better group of people. They invite their friends. We do outreach and they are so appreciative of things.”

State Rep. Rush Bricken said during the event that the legacy of the senior center dates back to the 1970s.

“I was on the County Commission when this building became available,” Bricken said. “This is a great facility. It always tickles me when I see all the cars out here when you all are fully utilizing it.”

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.