Feb 20, 2007
The History of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center

Teamwork -work done by a number of parties each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence
to the efficiency of the whole……..that textbook definition perfectly describes this project. Specifically, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, the Lehigh Regional Medical Center and the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens'
Center, Inc. pooled their resources and worked cooperatively and the result is a much needed professionally run facility serving the recreational and social needs of the senior community in Lehigh Acres.

The Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center was organized informally in March 1978 by Reverend Lavern Merritt and Carl Shipley with the support of the Lehigh Acres Community Council, the Lehigh Corporation, the Presidents' Club and the Kiwanis Breakfast Club. Initially, the seniors met in homes. On April 4, 1978 senior activities moved to the Lehigh Acres Community Building at the corner of Homestead and Plaza Drive.  At that time it was a ´drop in' center on Tuesday mornings for coffee and cards. Reverend Hanawalt, a retired Presbyterian minister, served as the volunteer director. In June, 1978 the Lehigh Corporation furnished a room at Sunshine Mall with Robert Sweet acting as a volunteer director. The Lehigh Acres Kiwanis Club donated card tables and the Spring Festival Committee through Charles Matheny loaned chairs for use in the center. Reverend Lavern Merritt became the next volunteer director from September to November 1978. The next director was Viola Ashby who formally served as the center's Coordinator.  She worked part time, three days a week through funds donated by the Kiwanis Club. Viola added a knitting class to the activities schedule.

Formal Organization began with Articles of Incorporation prepared by attorney Francis Majewski on November 22, 1978. That document named Virgil Phifer - President, Reverend Lavern Merritt - Vice President, Robert Sweet - Treasurer and Minnie Stransky - Secretary. The first regular meeting of the center's officers was conducted on January 11, 1979 in the Sunshine Mall. First order of business was to elect 10 members to the Board of Directors: Jim McAfee, Frank Rockwell, Carl Shipley, Minnie Stransky, Polly Ungashick, Virgil Phifer, George
Kuharik, Robert Sweet, Viola Ashby and Reverend Lavern Merritt. The new Board instituted travelogues and a few classes to the existing programs…..coffee & cards and a knitting class. January 15, 1979, the State of Florida issued a
Certificate of Incorporation. On March 6, 1979, the Board of Directors met with the Lehigh Acres Community Council to obtain their endorsement of a Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center Board Application for the Area Agency on the
Aging funds for capital construction. On June 1, 1979 the Board of Directors adopted the Affirmative Action Plan and received CETA Grant funds under Title II to pay the salary and benefits for a full time coordinator to work 40 hours per
week starting in December 1979. September 6, 1980 the Board of Directors amended the Articles of Incorporation to restate the purpose to qualify for the IRS 501 C-3 non-profit classification.

During March 1980 a special public hearing was held with Lee County Commissioner Wade Scaffe, Lee County Administrator Lavon Wisher and Bill Neron from the United States Housing and Urban Development office to
discuss the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center application for Area Agency on the Aging funding. On September 24, 1980 the Lee County Board of County Commissioners allocated $43,456 to purchase one acre of land from the Lehigh
Corporation for the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center to be located at 219 Plaza Drive. Additionally, the County Commissioners allocated $358,000 to build, equip and supply the basic furnishings for the center.

Architect M.G. Gundersen estimated costs to build the 11,000 square foot facility would be $380,000 and the Lee County Commissioners then approved his plan on February 6, 1981. A construction contract was issued to Miller's Builders Inc. of Fort Myers on May 7, 1981. A ground breaking ceremony was held June 4, 1981 and the ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted on March 19, 1982. With the doors now open to the public, the Carl Shipley Donor Fund was established. Many local organizations donated money and furnishings for the center. A partial list of donors included the Kiwanis Club, the Eagles, the WWI Auxiliary, the Community Games and the 4-H Club. The Lee County Commissioners asked its Community Services Director Bill Hammond to start hiring a center staff. His first hire was the new Center Director Agnes Prestigiovanni. Agnes, who brought unequaled professionalism and enthusiasm to the
center, maintained that job until retiring May, 1994. Joan Ferster, who had been Senior Recreation Specialist since 1983, was promoted to director and served until October 1997 when Barbara Bragg took that position.

She was followed by Director Jayne Tuller in l999. When Jayne moved out of state in 2000, Joe Ferster, who had worked for the Lee County Parks and Recreation Department as the Senior Center's Maintenance Supervisor, was
promoted to Director. Joe retired on April 1, 2005.

Over the last 15 years the Senior Center has been financially sponsored by the Lehigh Regional Medical Center (originally known as Lehigh Regional Hospital. ) It employs the center's director, part-time custodian and furnishes
some supplies. In return, many of the center's members volunteer at the Lehigh Regional Medical Center. The Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center Board of Directors, responsible for all other expenses, relies on membership dues, bingo, annual fundraising auction, the kitchen, boutique, other sponsorships and donations as its sources of revenue. Over 160 volunteers manage the bingo, fundraising activities, kitchen, boutique, travel desk, nurse's station, library, office and information desks and about 55 weekly classes and programs.

In 2005, Cross Key Manor began sponsoring many special events by furnishing food and supplies and continues to do so. In 2006, The Legacy of Lehigh and Palm Terrace of Clewiston began sponsoring some programs such as the Learn at Lunch Bunch that features informative speakers during a nutritious luncheon.

In 2006, the Lee County Commissioners directed its Facilities Management Department to paint and restore the exterior of the facility while updating the safety standards and wiring in the interior. Additionally, the county staff
replaced the kitchen cabinetry and oversaw other repairs in early 2007. A donation from two of the center's members, Bill and Mae Bridge, paid for the replacement of one refrigeration unit and the purchase of a convection oven for the new kitchen.

Throughout the years, the Lehigh Acres Chamber of Commerce through its annual publications has contributed to the success of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center by marketing and promoting of all of the center's programs
and services to the public.

The 25th anniversary celebration of the Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens' Center is a great day for citizens of all ages in our community. Currently, the center offers such a large variety of instruction classes and activities that there is something of interest for everyone ! Consequently, smiles and laughter are two of the main ingredients that are immediately apparent upon entering the facility. The center's Board of Directors and volunteers are a key factor in bringing happiness to all of our members while hopefully enhancing the quality of life for all !! We're VERY proud of our 25 years at Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center and the people who have worked so diligently and given so much
to make it a reality and then maintain that dream over the years.

Teamwork….when all parties work together...... everybody benefits...government, businesses and, most importantly, the citizens.

LEHIGH ACRES SENIOR CITIZENS' CENTER MISSION STATEMENT:
Established in 1980 Lehigh Acres Senior Citizens Center, Inc. is a non-profit organization to provide the local senior population with activities to sharpen mind & body and give meaning and purpose to their retirement years. Our programs provide members with the opportunity to meet with friends for recreational activities, remain mentally and physically active, benefit from being a member of the large volunteer program, encourage daily learning and maintain a healthy lifestyle……all in a safe, secure and friendly environment.

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