News Detail

Franklin County Senior Centers Foster Connection, Purpose, Community For Older Adults

Area Agency on Aging

September 25, 2026

Franklin County's eight senior activity centers provide older residents with opportunities to socialize, volunteer and find purpose.

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Franklin County’s senior activity centers continue to be a vibrant gathering place for older adults seeking connection, companionship, and meaningful engagement.

The county is home to eight senior activity centers, more than most counties of similar size, making it one of Pennsylvania’s most geographically accessible networks for adults aged 60 and older. Each month, an estimated 600-700 older adults visit these centers to take part in social gatherings, recreational activities, educational sessions, and health and wellness programs.

Participants of the Chambersburg Senior Activity Center enjoy a fresh, new space at the North Pointe Business Center, 2593 Philadelphia Ave., Chambersburg, where they moved to in early June.

The new location allows the Franklin County Area Agency on Aging’s administrative offices and Chambersburg senior center to continue sharing space in a single facility. That shared office model fosters teamwork among staff and provides a welcoming environment for seniors.

Many centers have special themed activities and parties, like this ’50s sock hop at the Greencastle center.

There is ample parking for visitors, plus seniors can still utilize rabbttransit to get to and from the new location. The facility is also customizable to fit the county’s future needs, if necessary. Additionally, the move is expected to provide a significant cost savings for the county, a huge win at a time when state funding for senior center programs has been drastically reduced.

Like the Chambersburg location, each Franklin County senior center offers a wide array of activities like bingo and other games, seasonal celebrations, special events for Older Americans Month and National Senior Center Month, exercise classes, field trips, crafts, educational presentations and much more. A lending library, computers and exercise as well as other equipment are also available at many locations.

For many participants, the centers serve as a second home. Franklin County Human Services Administrator Tawnya Hurley explains that many regular attendees are widowed or living alone, making the centers a crucial source of daily social interaction. “They love being here,” she says. “It fills a space in their lives that might otherwise be very quiet or lonely.” Participants often make new companions, attend church together, or meet up outside of activity center programming.

In addition to social opportunities, seniors have the chance to give back to others. Many choose to volunteer by helping pack meals or assist with center operations. This volunteerism allows them to rediscover a sense of purpose after retirement. In the first eight months of 2026, 376 volunteers contributed more than 11,000 hours to help improve the wellbeing and quality of life of Franklin County’s older adults. As Hurley notes, “People like feeling needed and giving back, and our centers offer that in a real and meaningful way.”

Senior centers offer a variety of arts and craft activities.

The senior centers support Franklin County’s Home Delivered Meals program, providing hot meals and safety check-ins for homebound older adults. Volunteers often build strong bonds with recipients, and in some cases, their daily visits have played a crucial role in identifying emergencies and saving lives. Services like these rely heavily on community support, and volunteers are always welcome.

With community, contribution, and connection at the heart of their mission, Franklin County’s senior activity centers continue to uplift older adults and strengthen the fabric of local life.

For more information on Franklin County’s senior centers, visit www.franklincountypa.gov/senior-centers or call 717-263-2153.