Thank You to Our Volunteers! | |
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On Friday, April 21, we gathered at the Olympia Senior Center to celebrate the lifeblood of Senior Services for South
Sound—our volunteers. Currently we have nearly 250 active volunteers working diligently to support our mission. These individuals dedicate their time, skills and energy to improving the quality of life for people as they age. Without their efforts, we as an organization simply would not function. [read more]
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Senior Services: 50th Anniversary
It’s not every day your organization turns 50 years old, and this year we are celebrating this milestone! We continue to find it humorous that our organization itself almost qualifies as being a senior. In 1973 our founders mustered the resolve to incorporate as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, making the organization eligible to receive donations and provide a tax receipt. Since that time, we’ve expanded beyond Olympia to serve all of Thurston and now Mason Counties.
Not everyone knows that we provide programs and services all over these two counties. Help us spread the word that we provide Transportation assistance to essential appointments for all of Thurston and Mason counties, Meals on Wheels in both counties, SHIBA Medicare assistance in both counties, and of course enroll seniors from both areas in classes, trips and activities. And that’s just some of what we do! We’ve come a very long way since 1973. [read more]
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Volunteer Profile: Peri Smith | |
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There are close to 250 volunteers who donate their time and talents to keep Senior Services for South Sound running smoothly. Some of them might have just started this month. Others have been here for far longer. Peri Smith, a fixture here for more than 25 years, falls into this latter camp.
While still working full-time in the worker’s compensation field, Peri came to Senior Services in 1996 because her father had dementia, and living in Grays Harbor, there was no direct support for either of them. The compassion she encountered here was so meaningful that she ended up serving for 14 years on the Board of Directors, including a number of years as Board president. [read more]
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From May 15 - 25, as part of our Meals that Matter and Other Essential Services fundraising campaign, we will be sharing photos and testimonials through social media and email that document the impact of our services on the lives of vulnerable seniors. During the campaign, we hope you will support the important work we do with a gift, but there are other ways to help too! [read more] | |
Do You Know About the SHIBA Program? | |
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Did you know?
Medicare is the national health insurance program to which all Social Security recipients who are either over 65 years of age or permanently disabled are eligible. In addition, individuals receiving railroad retirement benefits and individuals living with end stage renal disease are eligible to receive Medicare benefits.
Medicare is not a welfare program, and should not be confused with Medicaid. The income and assets of a Medicare beneficiary are not a consideration in determining eligibility or benefit payment. Medicare is a national program and procedures should not vary significantly from state to state.
Coverage under Medicare is similar to that provided by private insurance companies: it pays a portion of the cost of medical care. Often, deductibles and co-insurance (partial payment of initial and subsequent costs) are required of the beneficiary. (Center for Medicare Advocacy) [read more]
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Upcoming Classes & Activities | |
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Updated Membership Pricing for 2023
Seasonal: $20
Silver Single: $60 | Silver Couple: $100
Gold Single: $120 | Gold Couple: $200
Lifetime Single: $1,000 | Lifetime Couple: $1,800
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Senior Reads
For the month of May, our book club will read three short stories by local author, Keith Eisner. We will read Blue Dot, which won an O’Henry Award in 2017, and two stories from Mud Flat Shorts: The Shrine and The Falcon. Keith will hopefully attend the book club discussion, and the discussion should be lively!
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Speaker Series - Olympia
May 3: Debe Edden and the Heartsparkle Players. An experiential performance and discussion.
May 17: Maureen Wells with Unforgettable Art. We will view and discuss famous artwork about Springtime, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.
May 24: The WIT Writer’s Group will discuss their book, Memories and Imaginings: An Anthology of Creative Writing in Late Life. Books will be available for purchase.
May 31: Milt Doumit, Utilities and Transportation Commissioner, will talk about the status of utilities and transportation legislation in our home state.
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Explore Olympia Walkabout
Thursday, May 11 at 9:45 am In May, the Explore Olympia Walkabout Group will explore The Evergreen State College! We will meet at the Olympia Senior Center at 9:45 am. Rides will be available for up to five people. Please call 360-586-6181 and register for a ride. Once we carpool to Evergreen, we will walk some of the trails and, perhaps, visit some of the buildings!
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Rummage Sale - Lacey Center
Saturday, May 6 from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm Early bird entry at 8 am is $5, but free to members (bring your card). This is the one and only Rummage Sale we are holding in 2023, so don’t miss out!
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DINE OUT!
Tuesday, May 9 at 5:00 pm
Meet at the restaurant for good food and fun. Open to all.
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Traveler's Tea - Lacey Center
Friday, May 12 at 2:30 pm
Come in on the ground floor to find out what amazing trips are coming up, get discounts, sign up for trips and much more from our phenomenal Trips & Tours Department! Open to all.
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NEW! Death Café - Lacey Center
Thursday, May 25 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Come join us for a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. This is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Coffee or tea and cake provided!
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Mother’s Day in the Garden
Trip Date: Sunday, May 14, 2023
You don’t have to be somebody’s mother to appreciate beautiful flower gardens and a delicious brunch! Our destination will be the Elandan Gardens, a waterfront garden with a world-class bonsai collection and the landscape artistry of Dan Robinson. Leonardo da Vinci, Kubla Khan and Chinese philosopher Zhu Xi were each alive when some of the trees at Elandan Gardens first took root. The collection, which includes trees more than 1000 years old, is set among ponds, waterfalls, sculptures and lush gardens on the shores of Puget Sound. Our tour begins with a delicious brunch, and also includes a stop at the Bremerton City Nursery for an opportunity to shop their selection of seasonal annuals, perennials and more.
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Join our mission to improve the
quality of life for people as they age.
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Thank you to our Local Partner: |
Thank you to our Business Sponsor: | | |
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