Carolyn Fortner, who oversees senior programs in five counties, stood in front of Chilton County’s Senior Connection on Monday and told the group it was a national model.

Fortner pointed out that Senior Connection has strong leadership, a busy schedule of exercise and social events and a large amount of members—with big hearts.

The group presented a check for $1,000 to Fortner to help with the relocation of the Cordova Senior Center, which was destroyed in the April 27 tornadoes.

“Not just their Senior Center but their entire town was destroyed,” said Fortner, executive director of the Middle Alabama Area Agency of Aging, whose umbrella includes the Clanton and Cordova centers. “One of the things that has really helped them is to see that people all across Alabama are there for them. That’s really powerful.

“On behalf of them I want to tell you, ‘Thank you, and God bless you.’”

Senior Connection Director Vanessa McKinney said the group raised money through a yard sale and membership drive.

“Everybody got behind it,” McKinney said. “This was something that was important to them.”