Board Steps Up To Support Building Expansion

Together, board members have now contributed $60,000 toward the project fund.

Senior center local dignitaries participate in a groundbreaking ceremony for the building expansion last May. Pictured are Dave Tosch, Bonita McClean, Steve Wilkenson, Mike Poirier and Jim Tarbert.

​The 10 members of the Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center Board of Directors are leading by example to support the center’s capital improvement project.

At the February board meeting, Jim Tarbert, chair of the building expansion committee, challenged the rest of the board to demonstrate their personal commitment raising local funds. “We need to show our membership that we walk the talk,” said Tarbert.

The board took Tarbert’s challenge to heart. Together, board members have now contributed $60,000 toward the project fund.

Last year, the fundraising committee set a goal of raising a minimum of $400,000 in local donations for the project. They chose this amount because it is 10 percent of the estimated $4 million total needed.

Fundraising consultants recommended that the senior center should raise at least this amount of local donations in order to apply for private, state and federal grants. Typically, grant sources expect that the applicant organization raise at least 10 percent to show that they are serious about their project. “They want to see that we have ‘skin in the game,’” said Tarbert.

As of this writing, the senior center has raised nearly $300,000 toward this goal.

It is imperative that the senior center reach the $400,000 goal as soon as possible. Because the state of Washington operates on a biennial budget, state Legislature makes funding decisions during their odd year sessions. 2025 is one of those years. We are seeking state funding during this cycle, but we are less likely to be approved for funding if we have not raised adequate local contributions.

In addition, building costs continue to skyrocket. The longer the senior center has to wait to build, the higher the costs become.

How can you help? Of course, your donations are appreciated. Every little bit helps. A $25 donation may not seem like much toward such a large goal, but it really adds up cumulatively. Take a look at Page 30 of this newsletter. The $300,000 we have raised so far came from this list of senior center members and other individuals and businesses in the community.

You can also help by telling others about our need to expand the building. There are many people and businesses in our community that would help if they knew that we needed it.

You can donate to the building fund at the front desk, send in a check or visit wvsac.link/buildingfund online. The link is a really easy way to share with other people.