Munday activity center receives new name

August 17, 2018 | 10:43 am

Updated September 10, 2018 | 10:50 pm

Graphic by Owensboro Times

The Munday Activity Center hosted its annual dinner at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, at Immaculate Parish Hall, 2516 Christie Place.

At the dinner, the Board of Directors of the Munday Activity Center announced that the organization has adopted a new name and a new logo to better reflect their identity and commitment to service.

The Munday Activity Center will now be known as the Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County. The center is located at 1650 W. Second St. and provides services, support, resources and programs to individuals age 60 and older.

The logo represents the vitality, energy and evolution of seniors, while the colors of green and blue reflect the natural beauty of the Owensboro-Daviess County region.

Executive director Dana Peveler said, “The Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County will continue to provide outstanding activities and services that are designed to promote the overall well-being of our seniors, while offering opportunities for seniors to remain active, contributing members of our community. We believe our new name represents who we are and what we do as we reach out to embrace our senior community.”

The Senior Community Center of Owensboro-Daviess County began operation in 1982 as the Owensboro-Daviess County Committee on Aging, later known as the Elizabeth Munday Senior Center and then as the Munday Activity Center.

Future goals include a new facility that will feature a “spotlight area” to be named in honor of the late Elizabeth Munday, whose visionary leadership was instrumental in the development of an organization dedicated to the service and support of senior citizens in Owensboro-Daviess County.

The program Thursday evening included an announcement of the first recipients of the center’s Silver Salute Awards program. Earlier this year, nominations were solicited to honor individuals in four categories: Education, Faith, Inspiration, and the Elizabeth Munday Award. The first three are presented to an individual age 60 or older who has made a significant contribution to others. The Munday Award honors the legacy of Elizabeth Munday and is presented to an individual of any age who has made a significant contribution in supporting or celebrating seniors in Owensboro-Daviess County.

 

Winners of the first annual Silver Salute Awards were:

Silver Salute Education Award – Mary Johnson

Mary is that special person who dedicates so many hours to children who are at-risk of dropping out of school and engaging in life-destructing behaviors. She volunteers for the Audubon Area Foster Grandparent program, where she sincerely makes an impact on the kids with whom she works. She assists students at various grade levels with reading and math, helps with homework and encourages them to work hard to reach their potential for academic success. Although she is not a “teacher” by profession, she teaches children every day, including the most important lesson of all: That someone believes in them.

Silver Salute Faith Award – Marsha Allen

Marsha Allen exemplifies true compassion and “faith in action.” As a member of a local parish with an aging population, she takes food to people who are in need, provides transportation to physician visits, and ensuring that other individual needs are fulfilled. She serves as “family” to those who do not have relatives living nearby. She has even assisted members of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel parish in making funeral arrangements for their loved ones. She is always present at Parish activities, helping to plan as well as participating. She sees what needs to be done … and she does it. While caring for others, Marsha also sets an example as a loving caregiver for her own family.

Silver Salute Inspiration Award – Helga Wade

Helga Wade’s example teaches us that a life in service to others is a life well-lived. As the widow of a Vietnam combat veteran, Helga has found a new purpose for her life, and in doing so has enriched the lives of countless children throughout our community through her service. She is the heartbeat of the local “Bags of Love” program, in which she makes duffel bags that are filled with a handmade lap quilt, personal hygiene items, toys, books and stuffed animals, and which are then given to children in foster care. In addition to blessing the children, other adults who work with her on this project have discovered deeper meaning in their own lives through these service opportunities created by our Award recipient.

Silver Salute Elizabeth Munday Award – Bob Payne

Bob’s spirit of volunteer service, his heartfelt concern for seniors and meeting their needs in any capacity, embodies the mission of the Senior Community Center.  He is the familiar face that welcomes others with a friendly smile, and he is quick to step in and help with whatever is needed to ensure the highest quality of services. Even when Bob is not scheduled, we often see him coming in with his tool belt to take care of something he noticed while on his volunteer shift.  Elizabeth Munday believed in doing what it took to make the change, and Bob exemplifies that in every way!

August 17, 2018 | 10:43 am

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