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Rainier Senior Center 48 West 7th Street Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-3889 rscc@opusnet.com |
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 Virginia Walker, President Lindah Howard, Manager |
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Center serves up hot meals and provides fun and games for seniors by Janine Manny For The Daily News March 10, 2008 RAINIER- The Rainier Senior Center is in need of just two things - money and volunteers. The center, which opened in 2004, receives no government funding. Except for about $1,300 a month from a federal grant that goes to help the Meals on Wheels program, the center is responsible for raising the operational funds needed. According to Manager Lindah Howard, that's about $6,000 a month and rising. Howard has been at the helm for more than three years. "Electricity, gas, insurances, payroll, payroll taxes, phone, food, kitchen supplies and maintenance are among the monthly expenses," she said. "And, as the cost of living keeps rising, those expenses keep rising." The Rainier Senior -Center, located next to Riverfront Park at 48 W. Seventh St., has only two paid part-time employees. All of the other labor is provided by volunteers. Some of those volunteers are senior citizens themselves and don't have the physical strength needed to climb ladders to change light bulbs or other heavy-duty tasks, such as moving tables around in the dining room. The senior center provides a hot, nutritious lunch five days a week to between, 59.and 70 seniors daily. Currently, two volunteers help "Chef Sheila" Kruger serve those lunches. "When this place is packed, it's a blast, everyone 'has a good time," Kruger said. "Volunteers have fun too" Currently, the Rainier Senior Center has an urgent need for drivers to deliver Meals on Wheels lunches to homebound seniors. Two of the drivers are off because of health reasons, and the others are struggling to get the lunches delivered. Howard said that although the work is rewarding, she understands why it's difficult to get volunteers. "It's a couple of hours right in the middle of their day, she said. It’s tough.” "Most adults are at work, and teenagers are at school during that time," Howard said. Some, maintenance and janitorial work can be done after hours or on weekends, however, if the volunteers are available. Rainier Senior Center board president Virginia Walker said the center is a beautiful and well-utilized facility and the residents should take pride in it. "We need the people of Rainier and the businesses to step and help keep it up or we may lose it," she said. Volunteers alone aren't· enough. We need more funds to keep it going." Monetary donations to the nonprofit senior center are tax deductible. The 5,000-square-foot center cost about $730,000 to build. It was funded by $600,000 from the state; $86,000 from the Rainier Economic Development Council (REDCO) and a $47,000 Ford Family Foundation grant. The land was donated by the Rainier Waterfront Development, LLC. In addition to lunches; the center provides live music, crafts, bingo, a pool table, exercise classes, card and board games, quilting groups, classes, workshops and scheduled outings for members. Annual membership is $12 and anyone can join, regardless of age. To volunteer or to get more information, contact Howard at (503) 556-3889. The large community room is also available to rent for meetings or receptions. For seniors who need transportation to doctors' appointments or other services, Columbia River Rider is available for a reasonable fee. For more information, call (503) 556-2695. |
An Open Letter to All of Rainier and Surrounding Communities of Columbia County February 27, 2008 I know many of you have gotten tired of hearing me go on about money and volunteers, because you have told me so. But, that is what it takes to keep a non-profit organization running. I am sure, by now, you have heard that the "Clatskanie Senior Center" may be closing due to lack of funds. Throughout the 3 ½ years I have been here, I have been very candid about what is needed to keep our Center in Rainier running. The two most important needs are still MONEY and regularly scheduled VOLUNTEERS! We have been enjoying our beautiful new building, but remember, it takes a lot of money and hard work to keep it going. Twelve dollars a year membership fee doesn't do it. Meal donations and a small funding through CAT (averaging about $1300-1400 a month) do not do it. Our expenditures average about $6000 a month. Electricity, gas, insurances, payroll, payroll taxes, phone, food, kitchen supplies, maintenance are among the every month expenses. And, as the cost of living keeps rising, as you all well know, the prices keep rising. It takes a whole community to support this Center with both finances AND manpower; neither can stand alone. Have we become so wound up in the hustle and bustle of life that we will no longer support good causes because some one else will, or get the government to take care of it in funding and grants. I thought we were taught to take pride in taking care of ourselves. If you can give money, then do it; if you can't, you can at least encourage others to. Yes, you $5 or $50 or $500 makes a difference when added together with others. If you can volunteer, please do; if you can't, then spread the word to others, encourage them, tell them about our Center; and when they come, help make them feel welcome and don't forget to appreciate them. There is always something to do. Just replacing a bag in the garbage can helps keep the place running smoothly. Wiping off a window sill, donating a box of Kleenex to the front desk, picking up your own mess are little things that can help. Supporting your local senior centers is an investment in your community – and an investment in all of our futures. If we don't, we too are in danger of losing a fine Center. Most of Columbia County Senior Centers are also 501-3-c's, which means your contributions are also tax-deductible. Lindah Howard Manager |
And a Response . . . None of us wants to see any group among us fail. Ideas and volunteers and even money may be found if we put our heads together in a cooperative spirit. As it happens, this Saturday we have Collaboration Training for community groups and volunteers in Rainier sponsored by The Ford Family Foundation of Roseburg, Oregon. It is free, including breakfast at Big Green, 103 C Street, and gives people skills and methods for combining the efforts of several groups to achieve a common goal -- making things possible that each group working alone cannot reasonably achieve. The class is taught by TACS of Portland, which provides various support services for non-profit groups, and is followed up by a second session on Saturday, April 12, same place, same time 9 am to 4:30 pm. If finding immediate and long-term solutions for support of our Senior Center is identified as a challenge by the class participants, it will definitely be addressed by the facilitators. The workshop has just ten registrants at present, but has capacity for 25. Every group in and around Rainier can benefit by having one or more of its members involved in this training. It would be great to have someone from the Rainier Senior Center board of directors attend these sessions, and I would encourage folks reading this to think of the organizations to which you belong and rustle up a representative from each one to join the party (yourself included of course). To register, contact Megan Amerson at The Ford Family Foundation 541-957-5574 or email mamerson@tfff.org or call me 503-556-9838 (dwhipple@opusnet.com) and I will get you registered one way or another. There is power in our plethora of community groups that we have only begun to tap!Darrel Whipple Friends of Fox Creek |
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An Open Letter to All of Rainier and Surrounding Communities of Columbia County February 27, 2008 I know many of you have gotten tired of hearing me go on about money and volunteers, because you have told me so. But, that is what it takes to keep a non-profit organization running. I am sure, by now, you have heard that the "Clatskanie Senior Center" may be closing due to lack of funds. Throughout the 3 ½ years I have been here, I have been very candid about what is needed to keep our Center in Rainier running. The two most important needs are still MONEY and regularly scheduled VOLUNTEERS! We have been enjoying our beautiful new building, but remember, it takes a lot of money and hard work to keep it going. Twelve dollars a year membership fee doesn't do it. Meal donations and a small funding through CAT (averaging about $1300-1400 a month) do not do it. Our expenditures average about $6000 a month. Electricity, gas, insurances, payroll, payroll taxes, phone, food, kitchen supplies, maintenance are among the every month expenses. And, as the cost of living keeps rising, as you all well know, the prices keep rising. It takes a whole community to support this Center with both finances AND manpower; neither can stand alone. Have we become so wound up in the hustle and bustle of life that we will no longer support good causes because some one else will, or get the government to take care of it in funding and grants. I thought we were taught to take pride in taking care of ourselves. If you can give money, then do it; if you can't, you can at least encourage others to. Yes, you $5 or $50 or $500 makes a difference when added together with others. If you can volunteer, please do; if you can't, then spread the word to others, encourage them, tell them about our Center; and when they come, help make them feel welcome and don't forget to appreciate them. There is always something to do. Just replacing a bag in the garbage can helps keep the place running smoothly. Wiping off a window sill, donating a box of Kleenex to the front desk, picking up your own mess are little things that can help. Supporting your local senior centers is an investment in your community – and an investment in all of our futures. If we don't, we too are in danger of losing a fine Center. Most of Columbia County Senior Centers are also 501-3-c's, which means your contributions are also tax-deductible. Lindah Howard Manager |
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The Rainier Senior Center Welcomes You... Rainier Senior Citizens, Inc. mission is to identify the needs of the senior citizens living in the Rainier area and to provide needed services to those individuals while interacting with the entire community and surrounding areas. The Rainier Senior Center has set out to accomplish this mission and work together with the community to provide: · Information concerning local transportation services · Nutritious meals 5 days a week excluding specific holidays · Meals on Wheels · Information and referral services of interest to seniors · Activities and social gatherings for the wellness of mind, body and soul
Among the Activities to Enjoy Congregate Meals Live Music Crafts Bingo Pool Table Exercise Classes Card and Board Games Quilting Special Classes and Workshops Puzzle Table Special Outings
COME JOIN US! RAINIER SENIOR CITIZENS, INC. 48 7th Street, West Rainier, OR 97048 503-556-3889
Become a Member Annual membership is $12.00. Anyone can be a member. Your membership supports the center and entitles you to receive the newsletter including the monthly menu and discounts on many of the classes and trip. Join now and help this Center and its programs move forward and grow.
Services Available at the Center
RAINIER SENIOR CENTER
Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski visits Senior Center March 26, 2004 |
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New Senior Center offers something for everyone By Christy Caballero The Daily News May 24, 2004
RAINIER — After Jim Grimes' wife passed away, he found a new place to occupy his time and to pitch in with some volunteer work — the Rainier Senior Center.
"I do
cleanup — and also help make messes," he said with a chuckle. Coming since
April, Grimes, 61, said, "I've been here probably every day." Since its
grand opening in February, the center is increasing in popularity among
the local seniors. Interim director Bob Davis is impressed with just how "young" at heart his clients are. "I can't tell you how exciting this place is," Davis said. "The onus that's put on older folk, that they think ‘old' just isn't the case — they think young. This is really an exciting place to be." Davis said there were 59 members on the rolls in March, now there are 124. "And our goal is 400 by the end of the year" he said. "Before this center was built, there was an average of six to 10 seniors coming in for lunch every day. Now we average 30. Our cook is out of this world — Kathy Richardson from ‘Kathy's Kitchen' in Rainier. She serves nice big portions, and everything is homemade, and everyone loves her cooking." Kitchen manager Cynthia Jones, 64, has been at center stage to watch the new flood of interest. "Yesterday we had 86 people here for lunch," she said Friday. "Today there were 28, we've had such a response from our seniors, and we hope to reach a lot more seniors." Wrapping up Friday's hearty lunch in the dining room with a visit over a jigsaw puzzle gave three of the seniors yet another way to enjoy the new center. "We love it here," said Ruth Lydall, 82, of Rainier. "We worked really hard to get this," said Barbara Brown, 64. "It's wonderful to be here now." The one thing that might make Glenn Keith, 68, more impressed with the center? A pool table. "So if anyone has one they'd care to donate, we'd love to hear about it," he said. The center is the fulfillment of years — decades — of dreaming, planning and work. For many years, the seniors had met at the Masonic Hall in Rainier. Ground was broken in April 2003 for the new 5,000-square-foot center, located across the street from new senior citizen apartments. Funding included $600,000 from the state, $86,000 from local taxes from REDCO and a $47,000 Ford Foundation grant Activities at the center include bingo, line-dancing, and live music, such as old-time fiddlers. Possible exercise classes are in the works. There are arts and crafts classes and handcrafted items such as rag rugs, dishcloths, afghans, Swedish weaves, coasters and hand towels with hangers are available for sale. "Money from any sales goes to the crafts fund to buy more materials," Lydall said. "Some materials are donated for our program too, we can always use a little bit of everything. We make things to order for people too, like baby sweaters, for instance. "We've got to keep this going, she said. "We worked so hard to get it, and it's really wonderful to be here." The center also is available for the public to rent, Davis said. "Lots of groups meet here — Rainier Garden Club, VFW, the diking district, we have a fee schedule," he said. "We have chairs and tables, and can handle weddings for up to 250 guests indoors, and lots more if we set up for it outside, with a tent." Phyllis Cox, 74, who lives in the senior housing adjacent to the center, volunteers in the kitchen. "I helped move in," she said. "I got on the building committee the first thing, and now I may be a part of the executive board." "Our hope is to get the center running so there are plenty of things for seniors to do," Cox said. "For instance, why just bingo and pinochle? Why not board games, dominoes and other card games? This can be a fun place for everyone." |
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Meals on Wheels Program Needs Drivers to deliver warm meals to seniors at their homes...
The route takes about two hours. Volunteers can donate a day each week or several days a month, and two people can take a shift—one to drive and one to deliver.
Anyone interested in donating time may call the Rainier Senior Center at 503-556-3889
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