Allen Eiry Center to reopen

Due to COVID-19, Allen Eiry's Executive Board decided to close on Mar. 16, 2020 based on working with the Seneca County Health Department and recommendations from Governor Mike Dewine. In the six months that the center remained closed, it received calls on the daily from seniors seeking assistance and longing for the center to be reopened. "The general feeling relayed to us is: I realize that I am at the peak of my life. Who knows how much longer I have on this earth. I do not want to spend my remaining time home alone. I want to come to the center and enjoy what I like to do with friends. If this means taking a slight chance of getting the virus, so be it," Executive Director Diane Culver stated. Culver relayed thanks to those who helped make the reopening of Allen Eiry possible. She also thanked Bryan Glover, director of the Seneca County Commission on Aging and Seneca County Health Commissioner Beth Schweitzer for support and advice toward the reopening of the center. "Jana Martin from Mercy Hospital made the testing possible for us through Mercy's Care Fund," Culver said. Tiffin-Seneca United Way and the Seneca County Regional Chamber of Commerce were important to the reopening as well. Culver wished to extend her gratitude to board member Beck Shank for coming up with the idea of the Allen Eiry Center Signature Society where in the center reached out via mail to the community asking for donations. The support provided by those mentioned and the determination of the center and its executive board, Allen Eiry Center will be reopening today. Allen Eiry will be offering all fitness classes which will adhere to proper social distancing practices. Additional activities have a limit of eight people per room to allow for social distancing. Not all additional activities will be available initially. Culver stated that new activities will be added as long as people adhere to the rules. She made note that card playing will be the last activity to come back as it is difficult to social distance and keep things sanitized in that game. Everyone will be required to wear a mask at all times, unless they are participating in physical activity. Due to the limited nature of occupancy, people must reserve their spots a week in advance. When coming to activities, everyone must be screened by staff, sanitize hands, and wear a mask. Call (419)-448-9774 to reserve your spot. To donate to the Allen Eiry Signature Society, send a check to the center at 28 Hopewell Ave, Tiffin.