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KENANSVILLE — Duplin County Senior Services kicked off Older Americans Month (OAM) last Thursday with a Senior Fun Day celebration at the Events Center in Kenansville. Over 200 seniors were present to take part in the day’s various activities included cake walks, door prizes, a shred-a-thon and more in addition to invaluable health and education resources.
“This is a time to celebrate the incredible contributions of our older adults, those who have shaped our history, our communities, and our lives,” said David Rosado, director of the EasternCarolinaCouncil Area Agency on Aging, encouraging those seniors present to stay active and engaged as they age and seize the opportunities for purpose, exploration and connection that come with getting older.
Rosado explained that OAM’s 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on shifting societal perceptions associated with aging while challenging stereotypes and dispelling misconceptions.
Wild Hearts DJ & Karaoke transformed the Duplin County Events Center auditorium into a dance floor for Senior Fun Day with high-energy jams and shag-worthy beach songs that set the stage for the Duplin Sparklers to shine. Lunch was provided by Diamond Food Enterprises Catering, courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, and featured pulled pork BBQ, roasted red potatoes, coleslaw, buttered rolls, pecan pie, and a variety of beverage options for celebrants to select from.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of NC also provided vouchers for Ripe for Revival’s Mobile Market, a Rocky Mount-based nonprofit that provides fresh local food on a pay-what-you-can basis to communities throughout the state.
“It’s essentially like a mobile grocery store. They’ve got eggs, produce, meats, all kinds of things — and most of it is grown right here in eastern North Carolina,” explained Logan Smith Albertson, senior regional liaison for Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina. “It’s fully pay-what-you-can, but today Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina, to combat food insecurity, sponsored $10 vouchers for 200 seniors. That way, they can take fresh produce home with them”
Resource representatives and partner organizations from across the county were present to provide Duplin’s seniors with valuable information and services, including health screening and senior education. Among those in attendance were the Duplin County Health Department, ECU Health Duplin, James Sprunt Community College, Trillium Health Resources/One Community, Duplin County Social Services, Duplin County Public Transportation, HearingLife, and Pro Shred Security. Regina Johnson with North Carolina Department of Justice was also present to provide valuable insight as to how seniors could protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams and frauds targeting older Americans.
A.J. Connors, Duplin County’s Senior Tarheel Delegate and Mayor of Warsaw, expressed the importance of OAM events and celebrations to the continued health and happiness of the county’s older population.
Melisa Brown, director of Duplin County Senior Serivces, thanked senior celebrants for the survey feedback that informed this year’s event. She also shared her excitement for Duplin County’s new Senior Services building and encouraged those present to attend its open house on May 21. “Last year we were dreaming about it — now we are in it!”
“It was a great event. I love hearing the laughter and the sweet compliments that reflect on the entire team. Special thanks to everyone — together, we make a positive difference in Duplin County,” said Brown.
OAM was started in 1963 as “Senior Citizens Month” by President John F. Kennedy at a time when few programs focused on the 17 million Americans over 65 — and when 30% of those seniors lived in poverty. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year estimates, Americans over 65 now number nearly 56 million. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates poverty rates for those 65 and older at 10.2%. Without benefits like Social Security, the percentage rises to 38.7%.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) oversees many programs funded through the Older Americans Act, including Meals on Wheels, adult day, area agencies on aging, respite care, and falls and elder abuse prevention, and has led the nation in observance of Older American’s Month each May since its establishment in 2012. Pursuant to President Trump’s Executive Order 14210, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a large-scale reorganization on March 27, 2025 that will dissolve the ACL and integrate its programs into other agencies within the department. According to the HHS press release, the reorganization is not expected to impact Medicaid or Medicare services.
