Nassau County Council on Aging
Press Release
Submitted by Lizz Dunn
Director Marketing and Communications
November 27, 2018 8:00 a.m.
1901 Island Walkway Features Expanded Programs, Services and 80+ Classes
Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) officially opens the doors to our new home at 1901 Island Walkway on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Fernandina Beach. State Sen. Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach) is scheduled to emcee NCCOA’s Grand Opening celebration – The Event at 1901 – featuring the following speakers: Jeffrey Bragg, Secretary, Department of Elder Affairs, State of Florida; State Rep. Cord Byrd, (R-Neptune Beach); Hugh Greene, CEO and President, Baptist Health; Robert M. Foster, Chief Judge, Nassau County; Arthur “Buddy” Jacobs, founder and managing member, Jacobs, Scholz & Wyler, LLC, and good friend of NCCOA; Barbara Gingher; Chair, NCCOA Board of Directors; Geoffrey Clear, Vice Chair, NCCOA Board of Directors; and Janice Ancrum, President & CEO, NCCOA. Life Center tours and refreshments will be offered. The public is invited to attend; please RSVP at 904-261-0701.
Fifteen months after Hurricane Irma caused more than $1 million in catastrophic damage to 1901 Island Walkway, NCCOA’s new home is poised to double and triple the number of seniors served in Nassau County. A 25,500-square-foot facility, The Life Center features a commercial-grade kitchen complete with state-of-the-art appliances and a serving line for congregate meals for seniors.
The Nutrition Support Program will nearly double the number of meals provided to seniors by 2020, as well as provide volunteer organizations with a nutrition center to prepare meals for the homebound and serve as a learning center by offering healthy cooking classes for seniors.
Our Grand Hall, Heritage Hall and Conference Room are prepared to host numerous groups and meetings. The Media Lounge and Café is ready for small-group conversations and coffee-sipping – feel free to select a book from the Library and settle in to this friendly spot.
The Health and Fitness Room has been buzzing with Yoga, Tai Chi and Tap Dancing classes, and handmade greeting cards, jewelry and ornaments have appeared from behind the doors of the Arts and Crafts Room. Our Game Room is just about ready to spring into action…a billiard table may be in the works. What makes these areas extra-special is that generous donors have “named” and furnished many of these rooms. And there are plenty of opportunities available to be a lasting part of the NCCOA legacy to our community.
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“While our vision of a Life Center large enough to help take care of the seniors in our community has become a reality, this is only the beginning…our seniors truly deserve so much more,” said Janice Ancrum, NCCOA President & CEO. “We are grateful for more than $1.9 million in gifts and grants from individuals, corporations, foundations, and local and state government that help us continue the good work of fundraising in order to fully deliver on our promise.
“However, we have $1.3 million to go to meet our goal of providing a debt-free facility so that we can focus all of our resources on expanding and delivering programs and services to seniors in our community. Gifts come in all sizes…seniors are depending on us to allow them to age with independence and dignity, through friendship and social interaction, and with safety and compassion,” Ancrum continued.
Throughout January – March, we are offering more than 80 classes and lifelong learning opportunities…for adults of all ages…Wellness, Health & Fitness; Music & Dancing; Cards, Games & Social Events; Literary Arts; Arts & Crafts; Computers & Technology; Community, Security & Safety; and Health & Support. Many of our offerings are in response to your requests, others are in response to instructors who would like to teach in our new facility. We could not be more proud that 1901 Island Walkway is becoming a magnet for so many segments of Nassau County…and most importantly, our seniors.
NCCOA’s Adult Day HealthCare (ADHC) Program, the only one of its kind in Northeast Florida, will relocate to 1901 Island Walkway in January. Our new home will allow us to double the number of “Club” members we serve, providing even greater respite for caregivers and continuing to offer their loved ones a safe and secure environment.
We invite you to visit www.nassaucountycoa.org to learn more about NCCOA, our programs and services, and how you can help support our seniors in Nassau County.
Founded in 1974 by local citizens, the Nassau County Council on Aging (NCCOA) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to enhance the lives of older adults through services and compassionate care designed to improve the health, independence and economic security of Nassau County seniors and their families.