Milton CHEER opening attracts a crowd

Staff scrambled to set up enough tables and chairs for the many visitors who turned out for the grand opening of the Milton CHEER Activity Center.

So many attended the March 2 ribbon cutting that the large banquet hall in the new center on Route 16 was filled to overflowing. It didn't hurt that everyone attending was served appetizers, a traditional chicken dinner and desserts, including a grand-opening cake.

It's the first permanent home for the center in its more than 40-year history.

Milton CHEER has been housed in temporary buildings for decades, and growing pains were hitting hard. “With this much bigger facility we will be able to introduce activities like we have always wanted to do,” said CHEER Deputy Director Ken Bock.

The 6,600-square-foot center includes a banquet room, meeting rooms, office space, commercial kitchen and fitness room. Transportation is available to and from the center.

For many years, CHEER served the Milton area from leased space in the Slaughter Neck Community Action building. When that building was no longer available, the program was forced to move into two different leased spaces within a three-year period. Most recently, the center operated out of leased space provided by Eagles Nest Church, but meals were prepared in a kitchen in Georgetown. Now, the program is all under one roof, and it opened earlier than CHEER staff expected.

The project – originally expected to be finished in May – was completed ahead of schedule by contractor Willow Construction.

Programs at the center include trips, speakers, arts and crafts, games and Bible study. Lunch is provided each weekday for $3 to $4.50 depending on a member's age. Cost to join is $25 a year.

Meals are delivered from the center to 150 homebound seniors each weekday with weekend meals delivered on Fridays.

The center offers fitness classes including strength and toning and Zumba. Exercise equipment is expected to arrive in April, said Susan Winterbottom, center director.

Membership is expected to double with more than 40 new applications turned in on opening day.

Littleton said the facility was constructed to be used by the Milton community during nights and weekends when seniors are not using the building. “We expect the center to be a hub for services and activities for Milton’s senior population while at the same time providing a meeting place resource for the Milton community at large,” said CHEER Executive Director Arlene Littleton. “As our community and service population grows, we need to be there.”

Catering is available, and the banquet room can be divided into two rooms with separate sound and projection systems.

The center's $2.3 million capital campaign was funded by grants from foundations, banks, government and organizations. The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Direct Loan and Grant Program provided $1.5 million at 3.50 percent interest for 40 years, said Kathy Beisner, a USDA representative. The campaign has raised $2 million to date.

Beisner said USDA Rural Development has also provided loans for centers in Georgetown and Greenwood over the past 20 years.

Milton town officials and Sussex County Councilman Sam Wilson, R-Georgetown, were joined by Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton, Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Milford, and Sen. Gary Simpson, R-Milford, who presented a legislative proclamation to the center.

Sussex County CHEER serves thousands of senior citizens through its programs and centers in Georgetown, Greenwood, Lewes, Long Neck, Ocean View, Milton and Roxana. CHEER offers home healthcare and an adult day care program at its Georgetown center. More than 120,000 meals are served to homebound seniors each year through CHEER's Meals on Wheels program.

For membership information, call 302-684-4819 or go to cheerde.com.