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Tag: Senior Center of Walker County

A Fourth of July Celebration to Remember!

Written By: Nataly Elizondo

The Fourth of July came early at the Walker County Senior Center as LEAP students and volunteers gathered to celebrate with local seniors! We arrived around 9:30 a.m., ready for a fun day filled with games, prizes, and music. The event allowed us to spend time with members of the community while helping to create a festive holiday celebration.

We kicked things off with our regular game of Bingo. Before the game began, Luke and I helped pick out prizes for the winners. It was exciting seeing all the different prizes we had to pick from, and knowing how happy they would make the senior citizens. With Brittlyn and Olivia calling numbers, we added in a few bonus rounds in celebration of the upcoming holiday!

As Bingo wrapped up and lunch preparations began, Brittlyn gave an amazing performance of The Star-Spangled Banner. We all loved her performance and gave her a huge round of applause as the National Anthem concluded. Throughout the morning, everyone enjoyed spending time together by taking silly pictures, playing checkers, and even competing on the Wii. It was so much fun seeing people of all ages laughing and talking to one another.

Before lunch started, we had one more special reason to celebrate… it was Ron Mendliski’s birthday! Everyone gathered around to sing Happy Birthday, and Ron smiled as he blew out his candles. As lunch was served, the LEAP students and volunteers took group pictures with Dottie Fulton, Director of the Lions Club, and Meals on Wheels: Walker County CEO, Stacey Loll. By the end of the event, this celebration was about much more than bingo and prizes. It was about building connections, sharing joy, and making the Fourth of July special for everyone!

Unknown's avatarAuthor mikeyawnPosted on June 29, 2026Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, FunTags 4th of July, Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Sam Houston State University, Senior Center of Walker County, SHSULeave a comment on A Fourth of July Celebration to Remember!

Volunteering for Volunteers–with the Senior Center of Walker County!

We’ve previously volunteered for the Senior Center, but only indirectly. For the past two years, we’ve assisted with “Empty Bowls,” hosted by the Wynne Home, and the proceeds from that fundraiser go to the Senior Center. But we’ve never helped directly with the good people there, and so helping the staff and board members thank the Center’s regular volunteers at their “Volunteer Appreciation Dinner” was a nice opportunity.


And while this may have been our first time to directly help the organization, the Senior Center has been helping others for the past 45 years! Help, indeed: in 2021, the organization provided more than 52,000 meals to those who are food insecure in Walker County!

Director Stacy Loll led the proceedings, we and the Junior Service League of Huntsville, and Board members Linda McKenzie, City Councilmember Jon Strong, Alice Ellisor, Robert Patteson, Ellen Willett, Karen Hewitt, Mary Douglas, Brad Davis, Bart Davis, Susan Retzlaff, Rosie Knight, and Dick Morton all assisted.


Their goal was to thank the many regular volunteers who assist the Senior Center, especially those that volunteer for the “Meals on Wheels” program.

For our part, we worked at greeting, drinks, and to a lesser extent, desserts. Our tasks were straightforward and pleasant; working with good people for a good cause is almost always pleasant!


Ms. Loll recognized various volunteers…


…and we also heard testimony to the hard work of JD Davis, who served as Board Chairman until his passing last year. His family was on hand, and the Board did a good job of honoring his service to the Senior Center, including providing a plaque to the family.


Linda McKenzie and Alice Ellisor also bought two tickets to the Isaacs, who are appearing at the Old Town Theatre. A lucky volunteer came away with a fun night of entertainment!

One unexpected delight was that we were also offered the opportunity to eat. Humphreys did a fine job with the catering, and the food, some gift bags…

…and the genuine appreciation of the Board, reflected the deep gratitude we all feel for the regular volunteers who help make the community a stronger–and better–place.

Unknown's avatarAuthor mikeyawnPosted on June 30, 2022Format AsideCategories Civic Engagement, Health, VolunteerTags Center for Law Engagement And Politics, LEAP, LEAP Ambassadors, LEAP Center, Meals on Wheels, Sam Houston State University, Senior Center of Walker County, SHSULeave a comment on Volunteering for Volunteers–with the Senior Center of Walker County!

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