Local BPW learns of needs of Darke County Senior Citizens

Pictured Left to right: Lindsey Gehret, Pam Place, Lauren Henry, Barb Bell.

Greenville, OH June 1, 2015 Members of the Darke County Senior Outreach Committee were the guest speakers at the Greenville Business and Professional Women’s Club (BPW) meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015. The meeting was hosted by the BPW Foundation committee which includes Lindsey Gehret and Shirley Morrow and held at the Brethren Retirement Center in Greenville.

The Darke County Senior Outreach Committee is a sub-committee of the Tri Council governed by the Area Agency on Aging. The group shared the information that Darke County has a great need for a senior center as the County is one of the highest in the state of Ohio in senior’s population. Surveys taken by the senior citizens of the county show the need for a center. The committee is making presentations to inform the public of this need and to garner monetary support for a center. The center would be available for all seniors in the county. The Area Agency on Aging did an assessment and found a need for financial and social support. The center would fill this need.

The Darke County Outreach Committee consists of Jamie Brown, Lauren Henry, Barbara Bell, Pam Place, Lindsey Gehret, Mindy Stebbins, Sandy Baker, Beth Bell and Carole Schafer. The group is presently working on procuring the non-profit 501(c)3 status as well as developing a business plan. Contacts with the county commissioners, the mayors, and local residents and corporations will be made for support. The committee meets on a quarterly basis and looking for people to partner with them on reaching their goals. Representing the group that evening were Lindsey Gehret, Pam Place, Lauren Henry, Barb Bell and Janie Brown.

Recently the Senior Citizen Day was held in Greenville at Romers. This event was well attended with 300 reservations mad and 22 vendors to sponsor the event. The Outstanding Senior Citizen Award was presented to Roberta Warner. The Darke County Senior Outreach Committee coordinates this event.

Greenville BPW Club’s mission is to achieve equity for all women in the workplace through advocacy, education, and information. The Club meets the second Thursday of every month for a dinner meeting. Information on BPW can be found at the website www.bpwohio.com. Those interested in learning more about the Club can contact Membership Chair Tasha Anderson at 937-621-4569 or tasha.anderson05@gmail.com