by Dave Tosch, Executive Director

Winter has finally arrived, and we hope everyone is staying safe in this unpredictable weather.

We’ve experienced a couple of closure days and want to remind our membership that when we do close, we try to get the word out the day prior. Closure information will be posted on our website and Facebook page. Anyone who calls the front desk will also hear a prerecorded message. Keep in mind our parking lot is not plowed unless there is at least 2 inches of snowfall, and we try to have it done in the morning hours before the center opens. There is no daytime plowing when we are open due to safety concerns.

The fundraising kickoff event to benefit our senior center building expansion project will be held Saturday, Feb. 10. Board member Erin Cass has been busy organizing this event with the theme “Booty for the Build,” which will include an all-you-can-eat crab feed and auction. The menu will also include caesar salad, garlic bread, and dessert. Gourmet spaghetti will be available for those who want an alternative. Tickets are $120 per person. Beer and wine will be available for purchase and there will be a special Pirates Punch. Everyone is encouraged to wear costumes with a tropical/island/pirate theme. Lance Tigner and the Easy Street Men’s Choir will provide music throughout the evening. Lance and his group performed at our talent show in December and they are outstanding! This promises to be a fun evening and for a good cause.

2023 is quickly coming to a close and we have been busy!

​Over the past several months, we have been presenting our building expansion plan to our membership and answering their questions. We must raise and/or identify $4 million in order to get the project underway. To meet this goal, we are launching a local fundraising campaign, led by board member Erin Cass, which will help us raise the matching funds necessary to qualify for state, federal and private/corporate grants. Our goal for local funding is $400,000 which we believe will meet the matching requirements. Simply stated, for every $1 we raise locally, we will achieve $10 when accounting for the matching funds from the outside sources listed above.
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​It’s now time to take our first big step. On Saturday evening, Feb. 10, we will host a fundraising campaign kickoff with a special crab feed and auction. The theme for the event is “Raising Booty for the Build,” including a gathering of Caribbean Pirates. Because our goal is to raise a significant amount of money and get off to a great start, we will be selling tickets for $120 (per person) and asking for table sponsorships throughout the community. Obviously this is a significant undertaking and something we have never before attempted. Please keep in mind that our ultimate goal is to have additional space to provide more activities for seniors residing in the Greater Wenatchee Valley. More details on the event will be available in the coming weeks.