by Wayne J. Reynolds

Throughout the year, every year, the Carroll County/West Georgia Council on Aging hosts free events for the senior citizens of Carroll, Haralson, and Heard counties. In this tri-county region, there are around 25,000 senior citizens, according to the latest U.S. Census. The Council on Aging’s final event for this year will be the first “Jingle & Mingle”, and show and dance event that will be held Wednesday, December 6th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the East Carrollton Recreation Center Gym at 401 North Lake Drive in Carrollton. 
“This is our first ever Jingle & Mingle, an audience style event, to welcome in Christmas!” exclaimed Sandra Morris, board member of the Council on Aging. “At our other events, we offer food for the seniors, but this event is a show. It will feature Noteworthy – West Georgia’s premiere a cappella chorale ensemble [singing without instrumental accompaniment)] and will be directed by Brenda Sue Holcombe. Along with the performance, there will be dancing! We project around 400 seniors attending, although there could be more since we have never hosted this type of event before. It is open to all seniors, age 55 to older in the area and, of course, their caregiver if they need one. This is a free event – so come on out and enjoy! We are very excited about this first time event!”

Sandra noted the many sponsors for this event – the Carrollton Dawnbreakers, Laurel Glen Retirement at Carrollton, Bobby Sanders Insurance, and the Carroll County Sheriff’s Department- were all instrumental in making this event possible. Vendors are also planned. 
“We don’t always take time to simply sit down and celebrate Christmas! There will be traditional music as well as Christmas songs. The gym will be decorated!” Sandra said.

The Council on Aging was founded 47 years ago as the Carroll County Council on Aging and has evolved into the Carroll County/ West Georgia Council on Aging. This group of dedicated volunteers serve the Carroll, Haralson, and Heard County seniors. 

“The original mission of the Council 47 years ago was to assess the unmet needs of seniors and find solutions. The Council has continued to grow and grow, and now we do referrals. Seniors call us and we find solutions for their problem, “ siad Sandra, the sole remaining original board member from 47 years ago.

The Council’s major events each year include: on the Thursday before Valentine’s Day, they host a Valentine’s Day event, then on the first Thursday in May they host Spring Fling, and on the Thursday before Thanksgiving, their annual Thanksgiving Fellowship event. 

“Typically we have around 25 vendors sponsor these events providing giveaways, door prizes, and maybe selling something. They make it all possible, We will provide a meal for those events. For the recently completed Thanksgiving event, we had over 800 attend. We sincerely thank Josh McCorley who was very generous and gave us a tremendous discount to provide the dinner. West Georgia Cardiology also every year helps pay for the Valentine’s Day meal.

The Council on Aging receives no government funding and there are no employees. All funding comes from sponsors, grants, and donations. Their funding is administered through the Community Foundation of West Georgia. “Everyone who works on our behalf is a volunteer and does it from the heart!” said Sandra.

During covid, the Council was able to distribute to seniors large boxes of food- about 500 to 600 boxes per week during the shutdown. Sandra estimates they delivered over 20,000 boxes. Through a bid from Jones Barbeque, the Council was able to provide hot bag lunches, as well. “We still do some food distribution, but now we do more in researching resources for senior needs.”

Sandra added that the Council is always looking for volunteers, new ideas, and donations. “We are blessed to live in a wonderful community like West Georgia. We hope you have time to help us.”

Sandra Morris is the sales director at Laurel Glen at Carrollton Assisted Living as well as a member/past chair of the Carroll County Board of Education. If you are a senior and need help, you can call Sandra at 678-378-0985. To make a donation or volunteer, visit the Community Foundation of West Georgia at cfwg.net or 807 South Park Street, Carrollton, GA 30117.