Page 14 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Winter 2020- Online Magazine

SENIOR RESOURCES

AMARILLO SENIOR CITIZENS

The Place to Be

FOR
SeniorS

by: Jennifer Jones, Executive Director

“ e don’t stop playing Amarillo High School building just Research shows that older adults
because we grow old; we acquired by Amarillo College. The need to continue socializing on
Wgrow old because we stop Bivins Foundation pledged money a regular basis to maintain their
playing.” to hire a director and support staff physical and mental health. ASCA
to get the program off the ground. provides seniors 55 and older
There is a lot of playing that goes In July 1973, headquarters were fellowship through the following
on behind the walls of the Amarillo established in the offices of the old activities: Bridge, pool, snooker,
Senior Citizens Association, and this AHS band room at 1311 S. Tyler, with quilting, 42, Mahjong, Poker, Games
quote by George Bernard Shaw has Mike McQueen serving as the first and More, where they play board
become somewhat of a mantra to its Executive Director. games like Chicken Foot, Mexican
members. Train, Canasta, Bingo, and so much
By 1976, Amarillo Senior Citizens more.
Amarillo Senior Citizens Association Association had become a multi-
(ASCA) was founded to provide purpose center for senior citizens. We have line dancing and balance
a community focal point for the It began as a 3-D center – dining, and exercise classes and are also able
delivery of services to older adults. dancing, and dominoes. Although to provide free tax preparation to
With the combined efforts of several these three Ds continue to be a big anyone who asks. We have provided
community leaders and Mary E. part of ASCA, today many other free walkers to several in need. ASCA
Bivins, who genuinely believed in activities are offered daily. takes small local day trips and longer
improving the lives of older adults, vacation travel trips for a nominal
Amarillo Senior Citizens became a Over the past 47 years, ASCA fee. It costs members $50 per year to
reality in 1973. has served the senior population join. We also have a pot-luck bingo
of Amarillo in a safe, inviting once a month in the early evening.
The pieces of the puzzle to create environment. For the many There is a library and a room with
a multi-purpose facility for older older adults who continue to live
adults came together when independently, ASCA is the place for
community leaders Bill Saxton, them to gather.
who was administrator of the
Bivins Foundation at the time, and The mission of the Amarillo Senior
Mike McQueen, who was with Citizens Association is to help senior
the Panhandle Community Action citizens maintain independence,
Program, put their heads together wellness, and quality of life through
to see this idea come to fruition. programs and services that meet their
Another piece of the puzzle was present and future needs.
the availability of part of the old

14 Amarillo Senior Link