06/04/2026
The Cumberland County Fiscal Court is pleased to announce a partnership between the Cumberland County Senior Center (aka Veterans Memorial Community Center) and Cumberland County Interns to provide a "Phone a Friend" program at the center (213 Upper River Street) on June 11 from 10 AM until Noon Central Time. The goal of the event is to provide basic help with technology like cell phones or computers. The idea came out of a needs assessment meeting hosted by Tammy Cary and the Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency. Attendees said it would be helpful if someone was occasionally available to provide guidance on how to set up a Walmart or Amazon account for ordering groceries/necessities, to help navigate how to do a software update on a cell phone, show citizens how to block spam calls/text, set up a voicemail recording or email account, and learn how to access or send an email.
While the fiscal court doesn't have a team member dedicated to this type of work full time, we do recognize that some of our youngest team members may have strengths in this area and look forward to letting them use those strengths to benefit the area's seniors. The time and location were selected not only because it was the location of the original meeting where this need was mentioned, but also because the senior center will be open during those hours and will be serving a free lunch to anyone age 60 or older. We hope this event will also bring more people to the center so they can see what an asset it is for the community. The in-person (FREE) lunch will be served at 11:00 AM for those 60 and older.
Members of the Cumberland County Team will be stationed at the back of the room for anyone who wants to walk up with technology questions. If there's a large need, we ask that citizens be patient as we work through the line. Please also manage expectations. This program is for basic help with technology. Team members will not be able to handle more complex requests like fixing a website, or coding of any kind. This is a pilot program and is only in trial status. We do not yet know if it will be a recurring event. We continue to look for ways to bridge the gap between those in our community with the most life experience and those in our community with the most youthful energy. We hope this program is another step in that direction!
If you have questions prior to arriving, you may give us a call at 270-864-3444. We hope to see you at the center on June 11 between 10 AM and Noon.
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