All senior centers in Cherokee County are reopening after being closed for more than a year during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic.
Senior Services Director Denise Cross said all of the centers are excited to have seniors return for food, fellowship and activities. The centers will be following Gov. Roy Cooper’s ordinances on social distancing and safety protocols, which include wearing a mask, hand washing and social distancing. Cross asks that all seniors interested in coming to a center call in advance. The only requirement for services is to be ages 0 and over. The capacity for each center is 25 people, including staff.
All activities will resume with the opening of the centers, including meals, Medicare counseling and trips through Cherokee County Transit. Cross said they are looking for more activities. If anyone is interested in leading activities such as yoga, knitting and singing, or to make a reservation, call Penland Senior Center in Murphy at 837-2467.
“We would like to thank all of the volunteers who have helped deliver Meals on Wheels and the several groups who donated to seniors throughout the year,” Cross said. “We couldn’t have done it without them.”
Volunteers for the senior center include the Murphy Rotary Club, King’s Pharmacy with Modern Woodmen of America, Reach of Cherokee County Inc., Second Baptist Church in Andrews and Shakinah Lloyd of Murphy, who all brought supplies to seniors.
The Andrews and Murphy senior centers are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Hiwassee Dam and Unaka senior centers are open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday.