FUTURE MURDAUGH SENIOR CENTER
The contract is signed. Mr. Ian Padgett, Owner of IP Builders, Inc. and Vital Aging representatives: Board Chairperson Kimber Cooper and Board Secretary Dr. Janice Gamble and Executive Director Robert Welch executed the contract to Construct the Murdaugh Senior Center. Following the contract signing, Mr. Welch and Chairperson Cooper thanked Congressman James Clyburn for the provision of Federal Funds for the project, Senator Ronnie Sabb and members of the delegation for their efforts securing state funds for the project and Ms. Nickie Toomes, Area Specialist, USDA/RD, for ERHC Community Grant Funds secured for this project.
Ms. Monica Murdaugh, board member, shared the significance of this project for her family. In 2007, shortly after the passing of Mr. Olin Murdaugh, the agency’s first board chair, the board of directors voted to name a future senior center in his honor. Mr. Murdaugh, Mayor Pro tempore of the Town of Kingstree, a respected educator and veteran, faithfully served as the agency’s first board chairperson (1997 to 2006) in the agency’s formative years. After his passing, Mrs. Judy Murdaugh, his widow, served on the agency’s board until her passing in 2021. Ms. Monica Murdaugh, their daughter, was then elected to serve on the board of directors after her mother’s passing and is currently serving.
Vital Aging provides an array of nutritional and other important aging services designed to help seniors remain healthy and independent in their homes and enjoy their best years. Vital Aging currently has an opportunity for public support in this project through your participation in our “Walk of Honor” engraved brick paver campaign @ $100.00 per brick which we are promoting the second quarter of 2025. The brick campaign funds will help with the interior furnishings, computers, exercise equipment, and more. For more information and to purchase a memorial brick paver, please call Vital Aging at 843-354-5496. Help us pave the way to honor/memorialize individuals and show community support for the future Murdaugh Senior Center.
When completed the Murdaugh Senior Center
The Vital Aging Murdaugh Senior Center will be a comprehensive senior center hub located on 1.25 acres of property centrally located in downtown Kingstree at the corners of Mill and Academy Streets. This new Senior Center will feature a large multi-purpose dining/activity room, craft room, quiet/library area, physical fitness exercise equipment room, technology center, health room, conference/public meeting room and administrative offices. The center is named in honor of Vital Aging's first Board Chair, Mr. Winfred Olin Murdaugh, Sr. (1936-2006), who faithfully guided the agency in its formative years.
With an ever-growing 60 + population, it is essential to reach more seniors. The new Murdaugh Senior Center Hub will provide an increased space for more seniors to participate in group dining and activities. This new center will help reduce the effects of social isolation among the senior population in our County and offer physical fitness, exercise classes, health and nutrition education, health screenings and education, crafts, games, computers, fun/cultural field trips, and more, to promote healthy living for this underserved population of mature adults. Intergenerational activities will build and increase community participation and partnerships.
The Murdaugh Senior Center will provide a boost to the success of the Town of Kingstree's ongoing Main Street Downtown revitalization program. It will help to increase the number of individuals coming downtown on a daily basis and contribute financially to the local economy. This new facility will revitalize a blighted corner of downtown and replace it with an attractive modern facility that will serve senior citizens of Kingstree and Williamsburg County for generations to come. Vital Aging continues “Building Bridges and Priceless Connections” for our precious seniors. The Architect for the project is Mr. Dan Saltrick, AIA of Design Build, LLC. The General Contractor for this project is IP Builders, Inc., President, Mr. Ian Padgett, Vice President, Mr. Shane Moody, and Project Superintendent, Mr. Jason Lattimore.
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