BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Countless distinguished members of the Raleigh County Community gathered to lend their support Thursday to the Raleigh County Commission on Aging, as the agency celebrated national accreditation through the National Council on Aging’s National Institute of Senior Centers.
The agency was recognized for its unwavering commitment to seniors throughout the community, and its dedication to giving back to that same community. But perhaps more than anything else, Thursday’s celebration was one held to honor the seniors themselves.
“The national accreditation of the Senior Center means a great deal to us,” proclaimed Executive Director, Jack Tanner addressing the audience. “But to achieve that recognition of being accredited by a reputable organization like the National Council on Aging and the National Institute of Senior Centers [is] not something that makes us want to be boastful about who we are or what we’ve done. It has nothing to do with being recognized as different or separate from our colleagues across the state or other senior centers. It was important for us, to better understand ourselves and who we are, [and] to know what we want to do to serve our seniors.”
The process of attaining this type of accreditation is no small endeavor, and the acknowledgment comes as a result of years of work from all involved, particularly Director of Social Services Terri Tilly, who spearheaded the process.
“This process has made us better,” said Tilly, who disclosed the two years of effort that went into establishing evidence of the center’s having met the nine standards of criteria required to obtain national accreditation. This would be the center’s second time undergoing this process, which took four years the first time around.
Several local public servants made appearances at the accreditation event, including Sheriff Scott Van Meter of the Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department, President of the Raleigh County Commission Dave Tolliver, Deputy Commissioner of the WV Bureau of Senior Services Jacqueline Proctor, and Beckley Mayor Rob Rappold.
“Certain organizations in our area are the threads that make up the fabric of a wonderful community,” said Rappold. “At the very top of that list is the Raleigh County Commission on Aging. How do they do this? They do this by constantly striving to achieve, to grow, to expand services.”
The mayor concluded his remarks by bestowing upon the commission a designation of distinction, exclaiming, “there is one word that I reserve for special achievements – it combines two superlatives: ‘fantastic’ and ‘fabulous.’ I’m here today to say that the Raleigh County Commission on Aging is Fantabulous.”
Adding to the excitement of the celebration was a special appearance by the Motown Revue, who recently performed at the Raleigh Playhouse and Theater and brought their effervescent brand of live entertainment to the proceedings.
There were several well placed quips throughout the event regarding the collective advanced age of those speaking and those in attendance. But a key takeaway from this celebratory event was the passion and vigor with which these folks continue to approach life, and the litany of contributions yet to be made by these fine folks to our communities and society.
Malia Fox of the National Council on Aging made a virtual appearance from Minnesota to present the accreditation, and in remarking of her own retirement asserted, “Nobody is putting me on a shelf. I am on fire, and I’m going to do whatever I want to do.”
And this, a declaration from which we can glean greater perspective on our senior citizens and their aspirations and motivations in life, could also serve to provide some insight on how we should each be approaching our own lives day to day.