Members of the Golden Age Band, from left, Marilyn Posey, Kathleen Carr, Betty King, W.G. King and Carlos Hardy, enjoy a variety of homemade desserts at the annual Birdie Thornton Center luncheon Tuesday. The band performs monthly at the center.

Every year during the United Way’s “Week of Caring,” the Birdie Thornton Center in Athens throws a luncheon to thank the many community members and leaders who have faithfully supported the facility over the years.

On Tuesday, the parking lot along Hine Street overflowed with vehicles, as those with connections to the center poured into the building for a catered barbecue lunch

Program Director Kristy Allen said that without the support of the community and local businesses, the center would not be able to do nearly as much for its clients.

Named for Birdie Thornton, who established the local Association for Retarded Children, the center is open to adults 21 years and older who have an IQ below 70 and have been diagnosed with an intellectual disability. Currently 44 people attend the day program, where they learn independent living skills, self-direction, self-care and expressive and receptive language.

“They also have lots of fun, socializing and doing different activities,” Allen said.

The facility features a computer lab, a full training kitchen area, grooming area, a recreational room and multisensory room.

Thomas Saint, the president of ARC, the organization that owns the Birdie Thornton Center, said it’s important for the center to take one day each year to honor the first-responders, city and county leaders, families and organizations who support the center.

Funded through the United Way, ARC supplied the food for the event, which lasted from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. They also covered the cost of a bowling outing for many of Birdie Thornton’s clients.

As the father of Kerry Saint, a longtime client of the Birdie Thornton Center, Saint said the luncheon is a worthwhile endeavor.

“It brings joy to my heart to see all these people who have been so good about supporting the center enjoy a good meal,” Saint said.

Saint also dropped a piece of unfortunate news. Because of the 100th birthday celebration the center had earlier this year to honor the late Birdie Thornton, who established the center, it will not have enough money for the annual Christmas party.