Four senior community centers in Mercer County will receive funding to upgrade their facilities and programs, state Representatives Parke Wentling and Tim Bonner announced on June 3. Each center is set to receive a $2,577 grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. The grants are funded by proceeds from the Pennsylvania Lottery and are intended to help modernize facilities, purchase new technology, improve meal offerings, and add health and entertainment activities.
Wentling said, “Through my past service on the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee, and my constant interest in improving the daily lives of our older residents, I’ve seen how important these centers are for keeping local seniors active, healthy and independent.” He added that the announcement coincides with celebrations marking 50 years of work by the Mercer County Area Agency on Aging.
The grant recipients include Grove City Senior Community Center, McQuiston Center by the Park, Shenango Valley Senior Center, and Greenville Senior Community Center.
“These senior centers play an important role in helping older residents stay active, connected and supported close to home,” Bonner said. “That’s important because it helps older adults maintain independence and quality of life.”
Bonner has contributed to community leadership through roles such as serving on boards like the Grove City United Way and as a Little League manager; he also maintained an undefeated record in homicide cases during his tenure as a prosecutor for Pennsylvania and Mercer County. He is currently state representative for Pennsylvania’s 17th Legislative District; he graduated magna cum laude from Westminster College with a degree in political science before earning his law degree at Notre Dame Law School, where he served on Law Review. Additionally, he served on boards such as Grove City Chamber of Commerce and chaired the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Hearing Committee. Bonner lives with his wife Peggy, with whom he has three children, according to the official website.
