SULTAN — A woman from Startup rolls her spare coins. She delivers the change each month to a senior center in a neighboring town.
The Sky Valley Senior Center’s budget was recently halved. It’s struggling to keep the lights on and dishwasher soap in supply.
A local Volunteers of America chapter, which operates the center, launched a fundraising campaign in August. Six months in, 5 percent of its fundraising goal has been met.
The senior center was started by a group of friends in the community five years ago, and since has become part of their weekly routine. They would gather for monthly potlucks. Everyone brought a home-cooked dish, chatted and played Mexican dominoes.
So many people joined in that they decided to form their own senior center.
Sky Valley Volunteers of America found a home for the center along First Street in Sultan. Lunch is served four days a week and bingo games are held. Classes are offered in painting, cooking, quilting and more. There is even a hula hoop exercise class.
However, the gap in funding has “left us scrambling,” said Calei Vaughn, director of the Sky Valley VOA.
In addition to the senior center, Sky Valley VOA runs the local food bank &Boys and Girls Club in Sultan. The organization’s jurisdiction also extends beyond Sultan, spanning from east of Monroe to the county line.
“We’re stretched thin,” Vaughn said.
They’re also in need of more volunteers. The center’s two head cooks are currently out.
In the meantime, the center is finding ways to cut back. Instead of providing a hot meal on bingo days, volunteers provide a sack lunch.
Marlene Carlson, 79, used to volunteer in the kitchen up until recently. She was one of 20 or so volunteers who kept the center going. The place reminds her of good memories. She and her husband had their wedding reception there four years ago.
Carlson and other volunteers have chased down every lead they could to raise money themselves. They sold cookies and fudge, held a silent auction and set up booths at community events such as Sultan’s Winterfest.
The senior center is good for people, Carlson said. Some are widows or widowers, and would otherwise be home alone.
“There are people I would worry about if they can’t come in,” she said.
Despite the cutbacks, she encourages people to get out and visit friends at the center.
“We have a wonderful time there,” Carlson said.
Caitlin Tompkins: 425-339-3192; ctompkins@heraldnet.com.
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