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Greetings Neighbors!
We have a new video about our ten-year vision to raise $50 million to meet human needs. Click here to watch.
Senior Farmer's Market Nutrition Debit Cards are available for eligible seniors. For information, click here.
Good news! Meal site days are expanding May 1. Our ISR Bayview community meal site (14594 SR 525, Langley) will be serving on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, plus box lunches on Tuesdays. 11:45 - 12:30.
May Menu for Community Meals and Meals on Wheels, click here to see or print. After clicking, you may need to scroll down to see the May print button.
Join S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes for cardio, balance, and strength building to help prevent falls. Click to learn more.
Volunteers are needed to support ISR programs. When you volunteer, you make a difference for your neighbors in need. Check out our volunteer page to learn how you can help.
Fun events to participate in this month - Monday Mahjong, Wednesday games, Lunch n' Learns, walking groups, exercise classes, and more. For details, click on the images in the "Connect, Learn, and Have Fun" section below.
Senior Thrift is now open on Sundays. See our expanded days and hours
Island Times is on hiatus as of May 1. Stay tuned for updates.
Learn about our Charity Golf Tournament to support Meals on Wheels. Click here.
Read an interview with our volunteer exercise instructor about why she teaches fitness to seniors. Click here.
Community Connections: Check out what's happening and connect with others, on our activities page -- we've added new resources including:
Thank you for being one of our eNews readers. Please join your neighbors in supporting Island Senior Resources.
Robin Bush
ISR Communications
email: robin@islandseniorservices.org
phone 360-321-1600
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With everything going on these days, you can simplify.
Give Locally and Act Locally.
Help islanders through ISR.
Ways to give:
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Online: make a one-time or monthly gift. Click here to get started.
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By check: Island Senior Resources, P.O. Box 939, Freeland, WA 98249.
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By mobile phone: send a text to the number 53555 with the word isrcares in our “text-to-give” system.
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Pledge: use our secure online service to do your pledge. Learn More.
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IRA, Stock Giving, Planned Gift in your will or trust, Donor Advised Funds, and more: Explore the many ways to give (click here) Our Federal Tax ID is 52-1049443.
- Or contact Charles LaFond, Senior Director, 24/7 at 360-210-3011 anytime, or email charles@islandseniorservices.org.
To learn more about the impact of gifts on our islands, watch our short video, The Secret Sauce click to start and don't miss our new video below.
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Island Senior Resources to raise $50 million in ten years for client care
Watch this brief video on what we have accomplished for the past 5 years ($10 million raised) and what we hope to raise by 2030 ($40 million) to protect the agency's clients from reduced services due to possible government cuts.
(Film produced and donated by Chris Douthitt).
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October 8-9, 2025, you can support Meals on Wheels by playing in our Charity Golf Tournament or attending our Benefit Dinner & Silent Auction.
Both events will be hosted by Useless Bay Golf & Country Club. For more information, please go to https://senior-resources.org/golf or contact Don Hall at don@islandseniorservices.org.
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CONNECT, LEARN, and HAVE FUN
(click images to enlarge)
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Love, and the Art of Letting Go
By Day Schildkret, artist, and author
https://www.morningaltars.com/
My heart is torn. That's how it felt after the last trip to see my mother.
Dementia is taking her down such a winding path. She wanders between being verbal and non-verbal, making sense and nonsense, being here and being gone.
She is long past the days of forgetting my name – these days, she forgets her own.
As her inner world consumes her, my own grief is consuming me. My grief doesn't always look like sorrow, however. Sometimes, it resembles longing and wonder, often anger and woe, but always, always love.
Read more
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Are You Prepared?
Robin Bush, ISR Communications
Willow suddenly lost her 68-year-old partner last month. They had always meant to draft wills, health care directives, power of attorney for financial accounts, and end-of-life wishes. But they never did. They were either too busy or felt they were too young to think about end-of-life planning. For over 35 years, they had made all life’s important decisions together, except these. Now, with her lifelong partner gone, Willow felt overwhelmed by the hundreds of decisions she had to make alone.
Read more
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On the Nature of Possessions and Aging
By Charles LaFond, Senior Director, Development and Donor Communications
When you look around your home, what do you see? Maybe close your eyes and let your mind wander around your living room, bedroom, and kitchen. Or wander using your body and your eyes. What do you see?
If you are like me, you see things you own. It is the stage-set of our life. That teapot from Granny, that painting Mom left me, that pen Dad left me, that book I bought on vacation but never read…I will…one day; these are the things, the possessions, we rent from life while we live.
Read More
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What Can You Do About Ageism?
Robin Bush, ISR Communications
Ask yourself, “What are some of the bigger challenges in getting older?” Often, answers range from health and isolation to financial and fraud concerns. Nearly everyone faces one or more of these, but there is one challenge that every older adult encounters daily in one form or another, and that is ageism. Ageism is everywhere, in conversations, the media, and workplaces, leading older adults to feel devalued, often patronized, and invisible, and reducing self-confidence. It’s so prevalent that we rarely make note of it, yet it is damaging to personal, financial, and social well-being. It can cause real harm, like when an older person can’t find a job and has to move from their home because they can’t afford it without a salary.
So, what can you do about ageism?
Read More
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We are here to help! Request assistance for yourself, a friend, or a neighbor
Serving Whidbey and Camano islands
Island Senior Resources offers programs and services for older adults and caregivers. Details can be found here.
We are here to listen and help you find answers to your questions. To request help:
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The Activity Hub
Looking for something fun to do? Check out our online guide to resources offering activities for older adults. There is so much to do in Island County from gardening to theater, classes to hikes, lectures to recreation, and more! Check back regularly as we continue to add to this list.
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Nutrition
Eating well is key to a robust immune system and maintaining health and well-being. Savor nutritious meals at home from Meals on Wheels or delight in conversation and lunch at a Community Meal.
Learn more. See days, times, and locations of meal sites
After clicking, you may need to scroll down to see the May print button.
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Medical Equipment Lending Library
Island Senior Resources has free medical equipment lending libraries for medical equipment, assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.), and hygiene products/personal care items including disposable underwear, pads, wipes, bed pads, no water shampoo, body wash, and more.
Learn more
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Private In-Home Providers Directory
Not sure who to hire for odd jobs around the house? Or maybe you are in search of a caregiver who is the right fit for your family member and will provide you with some much-needed respite time. Our Private In-home Provider (PIP) directory might have just the person you need.
Learn more
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Senior Thrift
Senior Thrift offers new and lightly used clothing, furniture, household goods, outdoor items, tools, crafts, books, jewelry, and children’s items. Visit our housewares department and year-round Christmas room.
Proceeds from sales at Senior Thrift support ISR programs. Learn more about Senior Thrift
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
(off SR 525 just north of Main Street in Freeland)
View Map,
phone: 360-331-5701 Senior Thrift (General)
360-331-5726 Senior Thrift (Donations/ Pickups)
Need to drop off items at Senior Thrift?
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Volunteer
Volunteering is highly satisfying, good for your health, connects you to others, and makes a huge difference in someone’s life. We have many volunteer opportunities available.
Learn More
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Healthy Aging
Join Charles LaFond at his potter’s wheel, his kitchen, and his outdoor wok as he honors the benefits and challenges of aging on Whidbey and Camano Islands. (Video produced and donated by Chris Douthitt).
Watch Video
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Join our Board
Island Senior Resources has openings on our board of directors. This could be your opportunity to lend your ideas and voice to how we can help older adults and caregivers in Island County.
For more information, contact Janis Machala, ISR Board President, at 360-321-1600 or email Janis.Machala@islandseniorservices.org
| | OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OF INTEREST | | Island Senior Resources is an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) that has been serving Island County since 1972. Island Senior Resources is the trade name for Senior Services of Island County. | | |
Copyright © 2025 Island Senior Resources. All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you requested it or opted in to keep up on news at Island Senior Resources. Thanks for your interest!
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Island Senior Resources
P.O. Box 939
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-321-1600
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Senior Thrift
5518 Woodard Avenue
Freeland, WA 98249
Phone 360-331-5701 (main) or 360-331-5726 (donations & pick-ups)
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