SR. CENTER: Friends rise to the occasion

For the past five years, we, at Post Falls Senior Center have replaced or repaired almost everything. With the downturn in the economy we were hoping we could get through this year without a major malfunction. Then our commercial bread mixer blew up, scattering dough all over the kitchen. It was so old they no longer have parts for it. We considered: Can we get along without it? Not if we want to continue to serve healthy, nutritious meals to our seniors. We priced them out; new ones, used ones, offbrand ones. We checked out eBay and Craigslist. 

Rod Erickson called and said his friends, Rich Bellert, Jack and Jeannett Jeppson were in town and willing to do a benefit for us. Bless you, Rod, you are a dear friend. 

Time was short so I called another dear friend, Kerri Thoreson, and asked if she would mention us in her column. Everybody reads Kerri’s columns. Thank you, Kerri. We called an Activities Committee meeting to sort out what needed to be done. Sunny Fagan, Bobbi Quested, and Bea Ludington, wonderful volunteers that they are, didn’t hesitate. They began preparing promotion, publicity, selling tickets, decorations for the tables (Sunny and Bobbi even bought new tablecloths to spruce up the dining room) with their usual good humor and enthusiasm. I love you guys, you know that? 

Bobbi donated a small barbecue to be raffled off and we warned our brand new cooks they were in for a double shift for the second time in 10 days. They were up for it. Just to make it a little easier I asked my son, Stewart, if he could procure fried chicken from the Albertson’s store where he works. He said, how much do you want and when do you want it? Thank you, Stewart. Thank you, Albertson’s. 

Word got around and we were sold out Wednesday morning. We’ve never turned people away from a fundraiser benefit before but we didn’t want people to be disappointed if we ran out of food before everyone was served. (Yes, we have looked into enlarging the building. Can’t be done). 

Our volunteers set up the dining room that afternoon and came early in the evening to help seat people and to sell raffle tickets. Sunny, Bobbi, Bea, Kathy Kendall, Betty Dionne, Louise Oliver and Jackie McAvoy bussed tables. Although Jackie was not prewarned, she took the microphone and welcomed folks, explained the procedure and I thank you all for being so willing and generous with your time and energy. 

Thank you, Jordan, my grandson, who washed dishes, mopped floors, took out the trash and drove me home afterwards. 

We asked Rod if he would come back and he said he will in October or November. When we set a definite date, we will let Kerri know. 

MARIE FISH

Post Falls