This celebration has been a year in the making. When the AACOA was in danger of inadequate funding, the community women determined that it was going to take more than its annual fundraiser to get the council on its feet and were willing to reveal a bit of themselves to save it.

The Aiken Area Council on Aging (AACOA) is a not for profit organization that is a lifeline for many of Aiken's older adults and their families. In addition to being the only provider of coordinated public transportation services for the elderly, it provides a host of other essential services including home delivered meals, respite care for Alzheimer's patients, counseling and home care programs.

As a result, twenty-six, over-60 year old, church-going Southern Belles took on the cause by taking off their clothes and they inspired the tasteful and picturesque "Still Magnolias" calendar. "Still Magnolias" is a source of encouragement as it reveals the richness of life for women over 60. Each photo captures individual interests and talents such as tennis ("Still Playing to Love"), golf ("Still Making the Rounds") or art ("Still musing Still Life")

As each month calendar girl was introduced, she descended a staircase to face 350 tuxedo clad and gown-wearing cheering adults. The "event of the year" was met with praise by the community as calendars are flying out of stores! Betty Ryberg, who helped organize the event is all smiles, "We are thrilled at the response. Our mission was to raise $100,000 from the first printing of the calendars. We intended to create a buzz...I think we did."

This event has captured the human spirit and the strength of a community recently witnessed across the country.

Support the Aiken Area Council on Aging.
CLICK HERE for more on the Revealing Event and to purchase the calendar.