Cara Barnes, executive director of the Winn Council on Aging, spoke to the Winnfield Kiwanis Club on Tuesday, July 14, highlighting significant growth and upcoming changes at the senior center.
Barnes, who will celebrate her two-year anniversary in her position this October, shared how daily attendance has nearly doubled during her tenure.
“When she took over as director there were 12 to 15 people there on a good day,” Barnes said, noting that bingo days historically drew the largest crowds. In recent months, average daily attendance has climbed to 25 people, with even higher numbers on bingo days.
The center, which serves residents aged 60 and older, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Lunch is served daily from 11 a.m. to noon. Popular activities include bingo at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, alongside arts and crafts, board games, word games and puzzles. While the center remains open until mid-afternoon, Barnes noted that activities typically wind down after lunch as participants return home to rest.
The Winn Council on Aging has a busy schedule of upcoming activities, including movie and popcorn days, an ice cream tasting party, a picnic, a trip to the Alexandria Museum of Art, and a visit to the Columbia Council on Aging.
Beyond on-site activities, the agency provides vital support services, including local transportation for errands, appointments and trips to the center. The center also organizes regional excursions, including a monthly trip to the NOW Church in Pineville.
For homebound residents who are unable to drive, the center operates the Meals on Wheels program, which delivers frozen meals to homes in Winnfield, Dodson and Sikes. The program currently serves 52 residents.
The agency is housed at 200 N. Church St. but plans to relocate by October to a new facility at 6285 Hwy. 167 N., situated to the right of Subway. Barnes said she hopes the new location will feature dedicated storage space to house library books for visitors and emergency food pantry items for seniors in need.
The center is currently hosting its annual fan drive, asking community members to donate new box fans. The agency also received grants from Entergy and Weyerhaeuser to purchase additional fans for local seniors.
“The Winn Council on Aging is a place to connect, engage and thrive,” Barnes said. “They support seniors and strengthen the community. Stay active, stay connected, stay independent.”