By Mark Lastinger

Special for the Effingham Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The Effingham County Senior Citizens Center’s impact extends far beyond its walls and that’s the way Director Theresa Johnson wants it.

Aided by Assistant Director Jake Zeigler and Activity Coordinator Michele Stuart, Johnson strives to aid center users in any way that she can. 

“If there is something that they need and I don’t have it in front of me, I am going to make all the phone calls in the world,” Johnson said. “I am going to do everything I can to find resources to help them.”

Johnson can point clients toward assistance for utility bills and other needs. She has been employed at the center, located at 128 New Stillwell Road, for a decade. She was named director a year ago after previously serving as the assistant director and a nutritional aide.

“I don’t consider this a job,” she said. “It’s not a job when you love what you do.”

Johnson loves the people she serves, too, and the feeling is reciprocated. They are friends and draw enthusiasm and encouragement from each other.

“These clients are old enough to be my mom, my grandma, my dad or my granddad but I still call them ‘my babies’ because they are by babies,” she said. “I hear it every day. ‘Theresa, I just want to tell you that I love you.’”

The center is open to all Effingham County residents who are at least 60 years old and able to take care of their personal needs. It offers a variety of activities, including chair aerobics, ceramics, crafts, games, special events such as holiday parties, seated yoga, shuffleboard, movies and quilting.

An informative slate of speakers visits regularly, too. Topics include fire safety, fraud prevention, health and more.

“We do a lot here,” Johnson said. “My focus is to make sure clients are stimulated mentally and physically.”

The facility features an exercise room, game room, ceramics room, crafts room, library/computer lab and rose garden/patio. Amenities include hot lunches, coffee, medical services (blood pressure checks and immunizations), computer training, free attorney counseling and meal delivery services for seniors who qualify as homebound. Another is transportation to and from the center for shopping and medical appointments, etc.

“When I got this job, my prayer was for growth,” Johnson said.

Johnson’s prayer has been answered. The center routinely serves 45 clients a day.

“We used to have seven or eight people in our exercise class. Now we have 30,” she said. “We have been blessed.”

Too learn more about the center, email Johnson at tjohnson@effinghamcounty.org.