MOUNT VERNON — Steve Smith considered himself the lucky one when he was hired at The Station Break.
Smith has delivered over 1,000 meals to The Station Break community, driving to hundreds of houses throughout Knox County.
He’s maintained The Station Break’s grounds, among the occasional odd job.
Smith’s 40 years of servitude was rewarded at The Station Break’s 50th anniversary on Saturday.
History of The Station Break
The Station Break’s history begins in 1974, formally known as The Commission on Planning Services (COPS) of Knox County. The non-profit was housed at the historic Pennsylvania Depot at 501 South Main St. in Mount Vernon.
The senior center known today as The Station Break found its name on Sept. 21, 1998.
In those 50 years, Station Break has served over 1,000 senior citizens by providing meals to their doorstep or playing bingo on Fridays.
In director Meredith Lowther’s eyes, the mission is to advocate, promote and implement services appropriate to meet the ongoing needs of the 60-plus population in Knox County.
“The seniors in the county keep Station Break alive,” Lowther said. “It’s part of the big reason why we do it.”
Lowther has been the director of Station Break since 2018, first joining 17 years ago. She was looking for work after moving from Oklahoma to Ohio with her husband.
“I’ve never been to the state of Ohio before,” Lowther said. “It was pretty scary to move.”
Rebuilding after the pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lowther says it was difficult to serve the community, due to social isolation and the elderly population being a high-risk population.
Lowther said that Friday bingo used to bring in 80 people — now it’s around 50 but has steadily grown in recent years.
Regardless of numbers, Lowther says clients become family.
“You get to know them,” Lowther said. “You get to know their life history, do activities with them and go on trips.”
Lowther sees the impact The Station Break offers by creating vibrancy, purpose and independence among its clientele.
Part of creating that environment for seniors is the employees, Lowther said — including employees like Smith.
He said the senior living center saved him, where he found purpose in caring for the elderly community.