'Celebrate One Wallingford' a great success

On December 15, “Celebrate One Wallingford,” brought 120 people to the Wallingford Community Senior Center (WCSC) for a night of neighbors mingling with one another while enjoying tasty food, drinks, and loads of holiday cheer. The gathering was great fun for all ages and embodied true community spirit and proof that the center reaches out to more than just seniors. In case you missed it, here are some of the party’s highlights:

Mary Heim organized the very fun “Make your own Snowman/Snowflake” craft station.
Volunteers baked over 200 delectable sugar cookies for the ever-popular cookie decorating station.
Wallingford’s Green Carolers sang “Oh, Composting!” and a few more eco-friendly carols.
Neighbors Connie Voget and Laurie McCray helped to assemble some of Wallingford’s finest musicians, from ages 8 to 80, to play guitar, violin or piano.

During the gathering, WCSC Executive Director Kathleen Cromp talked a little about the center’s new direction for 2012: “To create a healthy, vibrant place for all ages” and “building community across generations.” Through the new programs and events, the center is reaching out to people of all ages and hopes to expand its membership as well as its presence in the community.

The WCSC “Giving Tree”, which was up during the party for guests to make donations, will continue to be onsite through the first week of 2012. If you’d like to make a donation, here are a few items on the center’s wishlist:

New freezer—WCSC is only $200 away from reaching funds necessary to purchase a bigger, better, frost-free freezer.
Gas cards to fill up the fuel tank on our van that provides 1400+ rides per year.
Contributions for all-ages board games, including Scrabble -low vision edition and mahjong tile sets.
Books of postage stamps.

Keep your ears open for more community music to come at WCSC (in the spirit of the “Giving Tree,” they would love donations to tune their pianos).The center also wishes to thank The Meridian School Kindergartners and their families for purchasing a new Blu-Ray player and projection screen for family movie night.

If you’re interested in becoming a member in 2012, take a look at the WCSC’s recent issue of “The Sunnysider” newsletter, which you can view here (requires Acrobat Reader). Single memberships are $30 per year for all ages, and $50 for couples, families, and others living under the same roof.

1 Comment

Jim Stillman

December 30, 2011 at 11:55 am

“What’s in a name”? Did you know Wallingford Community Senior Center is more than just a senior center? Over the past 2 years the Center has added activities and programs of interest to all ages, like Family Movie and a Pizza night, computer learning classes using our new computer center, Creative Drama for pre-schoolers, Yoga, digital photography and more.
The Center has moved towards being a true Community Center while retaining full programs for seniors. We have more work to do and really need community support to assure success. The center receives about half it’s funding from membership dues, fees, and County and City grants. The remaing annual funding of over $80,000 must come from community support, people like you.
The Center is also looking for folks who share our passion and would like to join our leadership team consisting of our board and Advisory council.
Finally ,whats in a name. Many folks have suggested the center needs a name that more closly identifies with a community center. In January we will be asking the community for their thoughts and suggestions of renaming the Center.
Please let us know of your comments, questions and if you would like to become a partner in shaping our communities future.
Sincerely, Jim Stillman, board President