2016 Year in Review: Blaine Senior Center

By Kathy Sitker

It takes a community to support the Blaine Senior Center. Let me take you on a tour through the accomplishments of that community during 2016.

On “Members Street,” we have 652 members that participated in a host of activities including puzzle-solving, bocce, pool, table tennis, bridge, pinochle and crafting. Music permeated our center from the ukulele group, singing, entertainment to dancing. Our members learned about computers, played Bingo and celebrated monthly birthdays. Daily, approximately 120 members used the center.

Turning onto “Volunteer Boulevard” we can see 72 busy people each essential to the completion of dozens of tasks involved in the maintenance, activities, events and projects keeping our center buzzing all year.

Around the corner is “Donation Street” with private business, the city of Blaine, Whatcom County Council, Whatcom Council on Aging (WCOA), Birch Bay Parks and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) and many private individuals supporting the center with both dollars and skills.

Across town on “Culinary Street,” over 13,671 meals were prepared in our kitchen and served in 2016 including our lunch program and other weekly community dinners.

Oh, and don’t forget “Exercise Lane,” where 52 members took the strength training class to use our fitness room and an average of 60 used it each day. We also had line dancing, yoga, stretch class and self-directed exercise classes.

“Fundraising Drive,” is a busy street hosting an explosion of activity throughout the year, including, pancake breakfasts, rummage sales, auctions, spring tea, 4th of July, spaghetti feed and Christmas bazaar.

Finally, we’ve arrived at “Personal Health Circle” where our members took part in such programs as the memory loss support group, healthy weight loss support, foot care, informational seminars, Tai Chi and the painting class to name a few.

Visit us at 763 G Street, or call 360/332-8040 or explore blaineseniorcenter.org for more information.