SHENANDOAH - She took over the position of Shenandoah Senior Community Center coordinator earlier this month, and Kelly Preneta has been busy ever since.
On the Friday before Christmas Day, Preneta, 26, of Shenandoah, tackled duties that aren't a part of her job description. She filled in for a volunteer Meals on Wheels driver, delivering meals in the borough. Having gone out during lunchtime, the seniors at the center helped with getting the meals ready until she returned.
"I like it a lot here," said Preneta, who began her job Dec. 6. "It's very enjoyable and laid back. You get to meet a lot of people and hear a lot of stories. It's fun."
The Shenandoah site is one of five senior community centers in Schuylkill County operated by Diakon Community Services for Seniors and funded through contracts with the Schuylkill County Office of Senior Services. The others are Schuylkill Haven, Mahanoy City, Pottsville and Tremont.
Preneta's coordinator position is part-time, about 30 hours per week. A 2004 graduate of Shenandoah Valley High School, she earned her associate degree from McCann School of Business & Technology and previously worked part-time as a pharmacy technician at Rite Aid, Mahanoy City. She and her husband, James, have a son, Cade, 2.
"I have an associate degree in specialized business for marketing and management, so I wanted to get back into my field," she said.
Preneta said the center is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, with lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is free for those 60 and older, but anyone under age 60 is welcome at a cost of $3.50 per lunch.
The center has four computers for Internet accessibility, including a WiFi availability for someone who has his own laptop. Preneta said the center is also involved in community events, such as Kielbasi Fest.
"We try to do activities. We just had our Christmas party," said Preneta. "We regularly have speakers come in to discuss health and anything education that we feel the members and the community would be interested in."
Upcoming events include a "Know Your Numbers" program on Jan. 10 about controlling blood pressure a "Diabetes Awareness" program on Feb. 21, and "Beat the Blues" on Feb. 24. A Valentine's Day candy sale and Donut Day sale are also on the schedule for the next two months.
"Anyone is welcome to the 'Beat the Blues' event to get out of your winter funk and start preparing for spring and summer," Preneta said.
The number of people coming to the center for lunch and activities changes depending on weather and other factors.
"Right now during the winter it's hard to estimate. It really depends on the weather," said Preneta. "Normally we've been getting between 10 and 15, but the other day we had around 20. Over the summer it does pick up more."
Nabil Youssef, 66, of Shenandoah, comes to the center regularly to use a computer to browse the Internet, particularly looking up information from his native Egypt. Originally from Cairo, Youssef has been in the United States for 39 years and has lived in Shenandoah for the past five years.
"Everybody tells me I have accent, and that's OK with me," said Youssef. "I come here almost every day. Some people joke and say that I own the place. I come back because of having conversation with people from different walks of life, along with access to the Internet.
"And the people here are very kind. Like Kelly said, we have a family feeling here, which is what I like."
The center is located at 116 N. Main St. in the Anthony P. Damato American Legion "Medal of Honor" Post 792.
Anyone who has a skill and would like to make a presentation can call Preneta at 570-462-1965.
"We're also looking for volunteers and those who need community service," said Preneta.