The Chatham County Council on Aging will celebrate its 47th anniversary as a nonprofit organization serving older adults and their families from 7-9 p.m. Thursday.
To join the Council’s virtual Zoom celebration get your free ticket at givebutter.com/CelebrateCOA47.
The celebration will include performances by Rissi Palmer and John McCutcheon, along with local favorites — storyteller Cindy Raxter and the Original Haw River Crawdaddies.
Rissi Palmer is an American country music artist whose 2007 debut single “Country Girl” made her the first African-American woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987. She is host of the Apple Music Country’s show, “Color Me Country Radio with Rissi Palmer.”
American folk music singer-songwriter John McCutcheon has produced 41 albums since the 1970s, including one just recently released. The recipient of six Grammy Award nominations, he is regarded as a master of the hammered dulcimer and is proficient on many other instruments.
In addition to these performances, the celebration will also include raffle drawings featuring items from local businesses and artisans. Raffle tickets will be available for purchase up to 3 p.m. on the day of the event. Raffle tickets are $10 for one or $25 for three. Donations to the Council on Aging are also welcomed.
“We want to thank our performers and those who have contributed the raffle gifts to help us not only celebrate our 47th anniversary but also help raise awareness and support for our continued work,” said Krista Westervelt, the Council’s development and communications director.
Those contributing raffle prizes include Mark Hewitt Pottery, Mays Pottery, Willy’s Cinnamon Rolls, French Connections, Country Farm & Home, and Priority Farm LLC.
“With 47 years of history in serving Chatham County seniors and their families, there is much to celebrate,” said Dennis Streets, director of the Council. “We are especially excited about starting back with in-facility programming for those who are fully vaccinated and restarting our Meals on Wheels service.”
Recently, United Way of Chatham County referred to the Council on Aging as a “pandemic response powerhouse.” For more information about the Council on Aging, visit www.chathamcoa.org or call 919-542-4512 or 919-742-3975.