The final week of February marked Membership Appreciation Week at the Whitfield Regional Hospital Wellness Center.

Throughout the week, members of the center were presented with special gifts and treats and longtime members were recognized with certificates and other awards.

“We wanted to especially recognize those who have been coming to the center consistently for five years or more. We have been given out free water and a little gift each day,” said Wellness Center Director Betsy Adams.

Members celebrating more than 20 years with the center received t-shirts and the week-long celebration ended Friday with special drawings for health-minded prizes such as yoga mats, chair yoga classes, and fitness balls.

The Wellness Center opened in 1985 in the basement of the hospital. It moved to its current location on the first floor in 1999 and saw its membership soar from about 50 members to 700 members today.

One of the original members is Ida Lee Bridges, who at the age of 90 still enjoys a good workout at the center. “If you don’t use it, you lose it. It’s good for your mind and your body,” Bridges said.

For longtime members Frances Roberts and Sue Calloway, membership at the Wellness Center offers more than just a place to exercise.

“There is a social aspect to coming … we live in the county and coming here is a good way to socialize,” Calloway said.

“Coming here makes you feel better about yourself,” added Roberts.

The Wellness Center provides exercise equipment and is supervised throughout business hours, which are Monday through Thursday, 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The center also offers stretch classes, yoga, chair yoga, personal training, fitness testing and more.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, March 4 issue of the Demopolis Times.)