Membership Drive is ON at Orcas Senior Center

No age requirement to get Senior Center Benefits!

— from Jami Mitchell, Senior Center Manager —

The annual membership drive for the Orcas Island Senior Center is in full swing! Member perks have been added, expanded, and re-vamped to make the benefits of membership enticing, advantageous, and convenient to use. Annual dues for the membership year from August 2015-July 2016 are just $20 for one person or $35 for a dual membership. You do not have to be of a particular age to become a member of the center!

The annual fees go towards the non-profit’s operating expenses, helping to maintain the Senior Center and the Hearts & Hands program, the vehicles used to deliver Meals on Wheels and provide transportation on and off the island, and towards the many events and activities that make the Senior Center great. Membership fees also support important repairs such as replacing old equipment and improving and maintaining the road and parking lots. While the Senior Center is a successful collaboration with the local County government, the operating non-profit that works with the County to maintain the facility and provide services is responsible for half of the bills. Membership fees are a significant part of the non-profit’s revenues used to operate the Senior Center.

With a valid membership card, not limited by the age of the card holder, members get a 10% discount at Ray’s Pharmacy (excluding wine and pharmacy), can purchase $5 tickets at the Orcas Center for Orcas Center shows, use the Athletic Club (check a key out for $3 at the Senior Center’s front desk), get a 10% discount at Eastsound Kennels, and participate in members-only trips, classes, specials and discounts throughout the year. The up-coming field trip to Doe Bay Fest is a perfect example of a membership perk that makes an annual membership fee well worth the purchase.

Members are encouraged to attend the monthly Afternoon Tea (FREE, the second Thursday of each month at 2pm), Songbirds choir (every Monday after lunch), crafts, programs (see the monthly Senior Signal newsletter for program schedules), guest speakers, classes, and special events.

Community Meal Days have expanded to three days a week, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 11:30am. You are invited to share a meal and get to know each other while enjoying good food. The suggested donation is just $5 per person 60+ and $6 for people under 60.

Please consider volunteering at the Senior Center. The Senior Center welcomes your input in helping the center thrive. Please contact Jami Mitchell at orcasseniorcenter@gmail.com to get involved. Volunteer opportunities include Hearts and Hands, drivers for Community Lunch and medical trips off-island, and fundraisers, like Granny’s Attic, the Holiday Fair, the Seniors Have Talent Show, or our Black Tie Art Auction.

The Senior Center is an important part of Orcas Island’s social fabric. It’s always a pleasure to see people gathering, smiling, and enjoying themselves in this wonderful community hub. Please consider becoming a member (click to download membership form), for the benefit of yourself and the entire Senior Center community.