New millennium brings new growth
By Janice Ancrum, NCCCOA President & CEO
According to U.S. Census data, Nassau County’s population topped 57,000 people in 2000, growing to more than 73,000 in 2010. At the start of the new millennium, close to 8% of the population were 65 years of age or older…and living alone. For Nassau County Council on Aging, this translated to new programs and services targeted to our core demographic.
In the late 1980s, we had moved to a new facility on Baptist Nassau’s campus. Little did we know that the “little yellow building” would be our home for more than 30 years, thanks to Baptist’s generosity. However, after that period of time, the facility did not provide the square footage necessary to meet the needs of Nassau County’s growing senior population.
So, in the 2000s the search began for a new or existing structure to house NCCOA in Fernandina Beach. At one point, NCCOA considered building on the 14th Street property that formerly housed the county annex and the local hospital. However, this location became mired in city and county funding challenges and environmental issues. Later in the decade, the Rayonier (Raydient) property at 1901 Island Walk Way became available. And, as they say, the rest is history.
During the 2000s, Adult Day HealthCare for clients and caregivers became a new NCCOA offering. Focused on seniors with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia, the program focused on therapeutic and social activities designed to counteract the “use it or lose it” outcomes of the disease. According to program literature, ADHC provided “assistance with activities of daily living (eating, dressing, etc.) in a caring and stimulating environment encouraging dignity and self-care.” Caregivers benefited through additional respite time to help care for themselves. Today, this comprehensive program has transitioned to The Club, offering an even more holistic approach to maximize quality of life for seniors age 60+ needing assistance due to physical or cognitive challenges.
With the new millennium also came the realization that our fundraising efforts must expand beyond bake sales and raffles to sustain our rapid growth. The Era of the Gala began in 2004 with our first fundraising event at the Palace Saloon on Centre Street. According to then-Board President Terri Cunningham, “The image of our agency in many people’s minds was ‘the Meals on Wheels people’ or ‘a collection of nursing homes.’ We had to correct this image and raise substantial funds to enable us to continue support for our seniors.” Through the generosity of the community, our first-ever gala featured a dinner theatre, silent/live auctions, music…we raised more than $13,000!
The next year, we moved to Walker’s Landing to accommodate increased interest; AIP Omni Resort hosted NCCOA for many years; and in 2024, we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island.
Plan to join us on Saturday, January 20, 2024, from 6-10 pm, as we celebrate our first 50 years and look forward to our next 50. Tickets are now on sale – (https://www.nassaucountycouncilonaging.org/50thannivsalutetoseniorsgala/). It’s sure to be another night to remember. Contact Liz Dunn, Marketing Director, at ldunn@nassaucountycoa.org for more info.
PS: Here’s what the U.S. was up to in the 2000s: Y2K signals few major technology errors; Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Spotify launched; and our population reaches 300 million. Plus, a postage stamp was 34 cents!