TAMMY BLANK, DIRECTOR
Originally from Canton, Tammy Blank has called many different places home over the years, but her heart has always been in East Texas.
Blank and her husband met while attending Tyler Junior College. They married in 1986 and moved to Nacogdoches a year later, where they started their family, along with a family-owned-and-operated restaurant. The couple has three sons.
How did you get involved with the Senior Center?
A good friend, Jane Ann Godsey, was on the Senior Center Board of Directors and asked me to come on board to help change the atmosphere of the Senior Center to a more inviting, fun-filled senior activity center and to serve a great lunch. Over the past seventeen years we have accomplished that!
How do you describe the role of the Senior Center in the community?
For many seniors in Nacogdoches County, this is their happy place! They dine together, exercise, play games, get in touch with their creative side and create a network of love and support.
What are your dreams for the Senior Center’s future?
The Board of Directors and I are all dedicated to listening and providing the things that seniors in our community are interested in. We are here to insure the continuation of this marvelous program, to help seniors thrive and to promote healthy, engaged lifestyles.
Do you have a favorite story about the Senior Center?
There are so many wonderful, funny and touching stories to tell, but the one that best demonstrates the importance of the Senior Center is one from over a decade ago. Barbara moved to Nacogdoches to be close to her children after losing her husband. It took a lot of courage for her to come into the center alone and after a few times I didn’t see her again for months. I ran into her at the grocery store, and she said she didn’t really feel like being around others. With a little encouragement and seniors reaching out and making her feel welcome, she began to volunteer at the center, joined in many activities and eventually remarried. She continued for many years to encourage others to “get dressed, put your lipstick on and get going.”