Kingsport Senior Center continued to grow during 2023

The Kingsport Senior Center continued to see record growth in membership during the previous year, while expanding its virtual programming and adding new activities, programs and services at its main site.

Overall, the Kingsport Senior Center had a successful year with an increase in daily attendance, volunteer hours and day trips.

“I’m amazed at the growth we’ve experienced over the past year,” said Shirley Buchanan, director of the Kingsport Senior Center. “Our staff has worked hard these past few years to offer more programs, activities and classes and the effort has clearly paid off with our growth in membership.”

Highlights from the Kingsport Senior Center’s annual report:

• Membership grew from 4,053 in 2022 to 4,655 in 2023.
• The average daily attendance was 452.
• The wellness room logged 154,527 hours of use in 2023.
• A virtual presence of more than 3.7 million impressions across social media.
• Members volunteered 8,266 hours to a variety of agencies reflecting a cost savings to them of more than $262,000.
• There were 45 days trips and three extended trips in 2023 with 1,039 members participating.
• The KSC received a $124,000 digital literacy grant from the West End Home Foundation for the purchase of 125 Chromebooks and digital literacy classes.

The Kingsport Senior Center is located on the first floor of Kingsport Renaissance Center (1200 E. Center Street) and offers membership for those ages 50 and older. The center offers a variety of programs, classes and activities to its members, including ones for arts and crafts, games, sports, fitness and cooking.

The Kingsport Senior Center has seven branch sites – Lynn View Community Center, V.O. Dobbins Center, First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, the Kingsport Aquatic Center, the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex and TNT Sportsplex.

For more information visit seniors.kingsporttn.gov.