By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

Doug Beller

ROCHESTER — “After I retired from Airvac as a project engineer, I spent a year working on a ‘honey-do’ list,” stated Doug Beller, Rochester. “Then I started getting rather bored. There was a job opening for a Transpo driver for the Council on Aging. I transported people, most of them senior citizens, for four years.

“The past four years, I’ve moved up to executive director of the organization. I enjoy leading — helping t

o make things happen for seniors. It’s so great to see them smile and to hear them enjoying themselves. This June marks the 50th year anniversary of the Fulton County Council on Aging.”

What Beller enjoyed most about driving Transpo was hearing the people’s stories. “I remember looking forward to picking up certain individuals. I’d developed a relationship with them. They were like extended family. I learned about their interests and family members. To have them share their lives with me was so meaningful.“

As executive director, Beller oversees all the operations that happen through COA. “I meet with the Transpo supervisor, the activities and craft directors. I’m the one who does the paperwork for federal and state grants, which takes about 80% of my time.”

Even though he’s a busy man, he tries to visit the seniors a couple times a week. “Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are our Bingo mornings. A couple of years ago, we introduced chair volleyball. Now seniors cut their Bingo time short so they can get in a game of chair volleyball. We can hear the excitement of those games from one end of the senior center to the other. They have so much fun.”

One of the ladies recently passed away right before her 101st birthday. “She was still playing chair volleyball. Our seniors live life to the fullest.”

His biggest challenge as executive director is keeping up with the government grants. “I must stay on top of the paperwork. That’s important. I have certain forms I must send to INDOT. There are also monthly, quarterly and bi-annual documents I need to deal with and forms I send in every three years.”

Things are never boring at the senior center. “No two days are alike. The time goes quickly each day.”

This June marks the 50th anniversary of the Fulton County Council on Aging. “The whole month we have different activities to celebrate. June 8, we have a golf tournament with all the proceeds going to COA. We’re having a cookout that month. We’ll have tours of the senior center and the garage, featuring our handicap accessible vans and introducing our drivers.”

In his leisure time, Beller is secretary of the Fulton County Fraternal Order of Eagles. “My duties include paying the bills, tracking the membership, sending out dues’ cards, and counting the money. Each Sunday the three trustees and I get together to keep track of the money brought in over the weekend. We have 500 members. Our meetings are the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.” Much of the proceeds of the FOE is donated to local charities.

He and his wife Yvonne have four grown boys, 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. “Our grandchildren love to visit our home in the summer and spend time on Lake Manitou.”

Beller invites area seniors to join COA and make friends. Main office: (574) 223-6953. Transpo: (574) 223-4213.