Oak Island Senior Center History
The Oak Island Senior Citizens Organization was formed in late 1978 by a handful of very dedicated individuals. Under the direction of the first President, Vernon Forbes, the organization quickly grew to over 200 active members from all over Oak Island. The monthly meetings were held the 2nd Tuesday of each month in the Oak Island Presbyterian Church until they began having dinner meetings at the Oak Island Recreation Center in 1981. The Senior Citizens Craft Shop was opened April 13, 1979 (Easter Weekend), in the old Post Office Building next to Dan Shannon’s store on Beach Drive, and was named “Crafts by Oak Island Seniors”. Dorothy Bloomfield was the first “Chairperson” for the Shop. Other early workers were Roy & Katie Poe, Millie Crutchfield, Irene Bryant, Estelle Vann, Belle Dancy and Mickey Kestner.
In August of 1979 Irene Bryant was selected as Senior Citizen of the month. Vernon Forbes, President, said “Irene Bryant represents the spirit of our organization. Mrs. Bryant perhaps more than any other single person is responsible for founding the Oak Island Senior Citizens Organization. Getting it organized and operating; and helping nurture its growth. In a little over a year, she has been a prime mover of the organization watching it grow from a handful to over 200 active members from all over Oak Island.”
This quote from President Vernon Forbes was taken from the first Senior Citizens Newsletter “Grits”, published in September of 1979 by Editor, Millie Crutchfield.
The “Crafts by Oak Island Seniors” Shop was moved to 5801 Oak Island Drive in the Red & White Shopping Center on April 4, 1980 and then moved to 5610 Oak Island Drive opposite the Water Tower Motel on June 1. 1984, and on March 1, 1995, the Senior Center was moved to the present location at 5918 NE Oak Island Drive.
The first newsletter was published in September 1979. In this newsletter, the major purpose of the Oak Island Senior Center was described as;
The major purpose for which this organization was formed is to serve the recreational, intellectual, social, physical, and health needs of our members. The organization is a non-profit corporation and has been certified as tax exempt. Any donations of contributions made to it are tax exempt to the donor, and we are eligible to apply for grants for special programs for the benefit of our members.
Also in the first newsletter, a contest was announced for a title for the newsletter. The winner was to receive a dinner for two at a local restaurant (not to exceed $10). The December, 1979 newsletter announced the winner as Roy Poe for his suggestion to name the newsletter “GRITS”. The name suggests a hearty breakfast, determination, brave perseverance, and pluck! Over the years, this name was dropped; probably because of the graphics involved. Remember, back then we didn’t have computers! In early 1984, another contest was held for a newsletter name with 18 names being submitted. The current name “The Golden Times” submitted by Belle Dancy was selected, and became the new name of the Oak Island Senior Center Newsletter as of the July 1984 issue, and is the name currently used by the newsletter.
Current Information:
The Oak Island Senior Center is a non-profit organization that serves the recreational, social, intellectual and physical needs of the ever-increasing numbers of senior citizens who opt to live in Smithville Township, Brunswick County, North Carolina.
Our Purpose:
- promoting and improving the quality of life of senior citizens,
- coordinating available services, activities, resources and opportunities for senior citizens and integrating our seniors into existing programs, creating new programs, where and when a need arises,
- providing pertinent information on employment and other opportunities,
- creating public awareness of the needs of the elderly as expressed by the NC Council on Aging, and maintain widespread visibility of senior citizens in order to eliminate community prejudice and discrimination and
- enlisting and cultivating community support and recognition for the elderly.
Services:
- Publish a monthly newsletter to notify the seniors of pertinent information about our classes, health issues, information disseminated from the police regarding scams and safety issues and points of community interest.
- Offer craft classes at Ocean Trail Nursing Home and Brunswick Cove Nursing Home. Small gifts are sent for bingo games. A giving tree with gifts for the needy is given at Christmas.
- Monthly dinners and special event activities including speakers and entertainment. We feature educational speakers, i.e. a pharmacist informing citizens on the uses and safety precautions of most commonly used over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
- Sunshine and Angel Lift coordinates transportation for dinners and classes.
- Field trips to local area amusements.
- Caring Committee provides small home repairs for those in need.
- Arts & Crafts classes are offered at the center Monday through Friday. These classes are watercolor painting, oil painting, sewing, knitting, and crocheting, computer skills, basket weaving, decorative painting and chair caning.
- Income taxes preparation services are provided at no cost to those who cannot afford such specialized help.
Dues:
$15 annually per individual or $20 per couple
Dinners:
Held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Oak Island Recreation Center at 5:30 PM.
Board Meetings:
Held the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Oak Island Senior Center at 7 PM. Public is welcome.
 | The Craft Store is for the handmade items of the members to display and sell to the public. It is run by the members who have items in the store for sale. People come from all around to browse the store. There are about many different crafter's with their items for sale in the store. Painters, wood works, wreaths, needle work, watercolors, sewing, crocheting, stuffed animals, handbags, totes, pottery, sewing, dolls clothes and many more. |