MEET THE BOARD

History:

The seniors of Emanuel United Church of Christ (Emanuel UCC) organized the first senior citizens program in 1963 under their pastor Rev. Kuether. The name was Emanuel Senior Citizen's Society. On January 28, 1970, an amendment was made to include others of the community who were not members of Emanuel UCC.

Meals were first served at Emanuel UCC in February 1977.  

Articles of Incorporation for the Manchester Senior Citizens Council, Inc., were filed on July 3, 1978. The name of the organization was changed to Manchester Area Senior Citizens Council, Inc., (MASCC) in 1985.

In July 1978, the organization became eligible to receive funds from the United Way. Before meals were cooked in Emanuel's kitchen, food was purchased from restaurants and volunteers delivered meals in their personal vehicles. There were as many as 20 volunteers who also used their personal cars to take seniors to medical appointments. The first and only van was loaned to the organization from the State of Michigan about April 1982.

The organization sponsored a transportation service for senior citizens 55 years old and older starting on March 1, 1981. Initially, trips were limited to medical runs. The organization did not have a bus at that time and the 14 volunteer drivers used their own cars. The service ran Monday through Friday. This service was started because Dial-A-Ride service was discontinued by the Ann Arbor Transportation Authority to out-county areas. 

The seniors received their first bus from the State of Michigan on March 4, 1983. They took delivery of their present bus on June 7, 2019. It was funded by MDOT and Federal funds. 

In 1985, the Manchester Senior Center received $14,455 from the State Commission on Services to the Aging for renovation of a building on North Macomb Street. The Village (now city) of Manchester provided the building. The Center was open Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.

The mission of the MASCC is to be of service and enhance the lives of the Manchester Area Seniors. Currently, they provide transportation, meals, and activities for senior citizens in the Village of Manchester and the four surrounding townships of Manchester, Freedom, Sharon, and Bridgewater. Meals are provided twice weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays from September through June. Transportation is provided on an “as needed” basis. Seniors use the bus for cultural and social events, shopping trips, and medical runs. The City of Manchester provides the group with meeting space, parking for the bus, and facilities for senior activities.  

*This article was Submitted by Betty Cummings