The Adams County Office for Aging (ACOFA) proudly marked its 50th anniversary with a festive Golden Gathering at the Gettysburg Hotel on Friday. Community members, partners, and supporters came together to celebrate five decades of service to seniors across Adams County.
The evening began with a happy hour, followed by a buffet dinner featuring steak, pasta, vegetables, salad, asparagus, soup, and tiramisu. ACOFA Executive Director Lynn Deardorff welcomed attendees with personal reflections, sharing her journey from Case Manager to agency leader. Special guest, PA Secretary of Aging, Jason Kavulich, offered heartfelt remarks, saying “I am thankful for this beautiful evening and thanks for saving lives every day.”
A slideshow highlighted ACOFA’s story, while longtime Director Steve Niebler, who led the agency for 31 years, guided the audience through moments of reflection and growth. He recalled how the agency began humbly in December 1974 with just two staff members working out of St. James Lutheran Church before moving to York Street in 1975 and incorporating as a nonprofit the following year. From those modest beginnings, ACOFA steadily expanded its reach—helping establish Rabbit Transit in the 1980s, launching guardianship and adult daycare programs, and introducing the annual Spring Fling to connect seniors with resources. More recently, ACOFA partnered in developing the Villas at Gettysburg affordable housing community, became a leader in Medicare counseling, and was the first Area Agency on Aging in Pennsylvania to have all of its staff trained as Dementia Friends.
The evening closed with the announcement of Silent Auction winners.
ACOFA is one of 52 Area Agencies on Aging in Pennsylvania, created through the federal Older Americans Act and mandated to serve adults age 60 and over. Guided by its Board of Directors and Citizen’s Advisory Council, the agency coordinates a wide range of services to help older Adams County residents live as independently as possible. Some services are delivered directly by ACOFA, while others are funded through the agency and provided by community partners. Priority is given to those with the greatest social, economic, and medical needs.
Funding comes primarily from the Older Americans Act and the Pennsylvania Lottery through the PA Department of Aging, supplemented by donations and grants from local organizations and individuals. A small but dedicated team of full- and part-time staff members work daily to provide caring, meaningful support to consumers and their families.
ACOFA offers an extensive network of resources, ensuring older residents have access to support that promotes both independence and quality of life.
In-Home Services include: Care Management, Home-Delivered Meals, Personal Care Services, Caregiver Support Program, Protective Services, Level of Care Assessments, and Adult Day Services.
Community Services include: Senior Centers, Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), Transportation Assistance, Tax Assistance Program, and Legal Services.
Additional support also includes the Property Tax and Rent Rebate, PACE and PACENET prescription programs, reduced PA Driver Registration Fee, and The Clearinghouse, a social service program assisting Pennsylvania residents 18+ with medical, prescription, food, housing, and employment resources.
At ACOFA, the mission extends beyond providing services. “We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to thrive,” the agency affirms. Staff and volunteers work to foster a true sense of community, helping seniors not only maintain independence but also stay engaged, connected, and empowered. From social activities that encourage friendship to resources that promote health and wellness, ACOFA strives to ensure that every older adult in Adams County feels valued and supported.
The success of the Golden Gathering was made possible through the efforts of Linda Thompson, Steve Niebler, Sam Jarvis, and Lynn Deardorff, along with the generosity of numerous sponsors, including JEVS Care at Home, Gettysburg Connection, Mooney Law, Oasis Senior Advisors, Transitions Healthcare, Montgomery & Weigle Insurance, Sale Ready Solutions, Robert & Patricia Adams, Cross Keys Village – The Brethren Home Community, Visiting Nurse Association of Hanover and Spring Grove, Law Office of Andrea Singley, and Home Instead.
Congratulations to the Adams County Office for Aging on 50 years of dedicated service, with best wishes for many more decades of supporting seniors across the county.
Photos by Amy Thomas.
