Senior Center Nears Annual Goal

Halfway through its 2009 Annual Appeal Fund Drive, the Yellow Springs Senior Citizens Center has received more than half of its $40,000 goal.

The fund campaign, which runs from July 1 through December 31, has reached the $25,000 mark as of the past weekend. Appeal Committee members celebrated the event by placing a new knitted wool color band on the “Totem-up Pole” in the side yard of the Center on Xenia Avenue downtown.

Each color band is made of material from recycled knitted wool sweaters in keeping with the knitting theme currently popular in the village.

"We’re extremely pleased with the number of repeat gifts from people who have supported the Senior Center for many years,” said Mary M. Morgan, Annual Appeal chairperson. The money makes it possible for the Center to provide services to seniors in the area like transportation, homemaking help, and problem solving of various kinds.”

“It’s great to have reached this point in the Annual Appeal,” said Ed Dressler, trustee and Annual Appeal Committee member, “but a lot of new donors will have to contribute if we are to make our annual goal of $40,000 by December 31.”

Florence Randolph, also a trustee and Annual Appeal Committee member, is hopeful but expresses caution.

“Since the Center does not receive funds from the Village of Yellow Springs, as many senior centers [receive funds from their municipalities],” she said, “we hope that more and more people in and around Yellow Springs will be willing to support this effort.

“Last week we received two gifts in memory of seniors who have recently died,” she added. “That is a very thoughtful kind of memorial, and it also helps senior who are still living.”

Members of the 2009 Annual Appeal Committee are Mary M. Morgan, chairperson, Andrée Bognar, Wanda Cubbage, Joan Horn, Florence Randolph, Sally Palmer, and Ed Dressler.

Envelopes for contributions are available at the front and side doors of the Senior Center. Information on the Annual Appeal and other topics is available at 937-767-5751 or www.seniorcitizenscenter.org.