Social Security turned 80 last Friday, and Farmville Mayor David Whitus and Town Manager Gerald Spates were on hand to present a proclamation and offer congratulations.

“Farmville recognizes the importance of Social Security benefits to the welfare of its citizens and joins the Social Security Administration in celebrating its past and in building its future,” the Town of Farmville proclamation stated.

The Great Depression was the backdrop for the plan  for social security proposed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in June 1934. Roosevelt appointed a committee to study the problem of economic security and make recommendations to Congress, where the Social Security

Act was subsequently passed. The president signed the Social Security Act on Aug. 14, 1935. In addition to several provisions for general welfare, the new Act created a social insurance program to pay retired workers age 65 or older a continuing income.

It is a program that continues to provide for Americans today.

“Social Security is committed to quality and creativity in public service as well as achieving excellence in service,” Farmville District Manager Brenda Johns said.

The Farmville office, located at 324 Commerce Rd., serves the counties of Prince Edward, Amelia, Charlotte, Cumberland, Buckingham, Nottoway and Lunenburg. This is the third location for the Farmville office that opened in January 1972.

A year later, Johns joined the staff.

“I had been working with the Veterans Administration in Richmond,” she said. “I became aware of an opening at Social Security in Farmville, and I applied and was hired as a claims development clerk.”

Johns joined Social Security in January 1973 and rose through the ranks to become Farmville’s district manager, a title she holds today.

“I have been so blessed to serve the public and be here as long as I have been,” Johns said. “I have a passion for serving our customers and assisting them in their time of need.”

Twelve full-time employees at the Farmville office assist customers with “my Social Security” accounts, reviewing Social Security statements, earnings verifications, benefit verification letters or direct deposit information, Medicare card replacement and applications for retirement, disability or Medicare benefits.

“I take great pride in ensuring that my staff treats our customers with dignity and respect while preserving the integrity of our programs and providing them with accurate and timely service,” Johns said.

The town recognized that commitment in their proclamation, “The Social Security program is the cornerstone of economic protection on which workers can build a comfortable retirement through pensions, insurance, savings and other income.”

MARGE SWAYNE is lifestyles editor for The Farmville Herald. Her email address is marge.swayne@farmvilleherald.com.