Director's Message - February 2024

by Dave Tosch, WVSAC 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.

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This event will help us get started to raise the matching funds necessary to qualify for state, federal and private/corporate grants. As I mentioned last month, 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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We invite our membership to become involved in the process of our building expansion project. Board member and Building Committee Chair Jim Tarbert will be available before and during lunch hour Tuesday through Friday to answer questions and provide information about the project. If Jim is not available, I am normally at the center during regular hours. You can also call 509-662-7036 for more information or to schedule a time to meet with us. All members are welcome to serve on our Building Committee to help with fundraising activities, or to donate to help us raise the matching funds necessary to qualify for grants. 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.

Our travel program is going strong, thanks to Lisa Blair. There are several groups preparing to depart this spring for gorgeous Ireland and stunning Niagara Falls. Our trips tend to fill quickly so if there is one that interests you, don’t wait to book. The program has a generous cancellation policy, which makes it easy if you should have to cancel a trip you have booked. Our river cruise to Vienna and the Christmas Markets is Dec. 2 and will prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The senior center still has about 8 spaces left, but the cruise overall has less than 15 cabins remaining. Please don’t wait to book this incredible tour, or you may miss out!

The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide services will be available beginning Feb. 1. This service is available by appointment only and will be held at the Eastmont Community Center located at 230 N. Georgia Ave., East Wenatchee. To make an appointment, cal 211, or if you cannot get through, 877-211-5445. There will be no tax assistance or forms available at the senior center.

The AARP Smart Driver Course returns March 6-7. To complete the course, you must attend both afternoon sessions from 1 to 5 p.m. Al Murphy was teaching the classes before the COVID-19 closure and will return as instructor. Classes will be held in Suite B with limit of 30 people. If you wish to participate, call the front desk and make a reservation. 

The Second Chance Thrift Shop is now accepting furniture donations. Also, our 50% off sale on winter clothing will continue until the inventory is liquidated.

We continue to seek volunteers for a variety of activities. We currently need help with our Sunday dances, lunch check-in, Second Chance Thrift Shop and special events. If you are interested, please contact Lisa Blair, our program director, at 509-662-7036.

​Be careful out there!