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County Senior Center raise money!
The Chisago County Senior Center runs under the
Chisago County Senior Citizens Board on Aging. In the later 1970’s
the Board on Aging decided they were in need of a Senior Center. The
citizens of Chisago County started fund raising efforts, they went
to each house asking for donations, held dances, pig roast and
potlucks. When they received enough money they started looking at
options for a building. They bought the old Superior Engineering
Building, and added on an addition. This addition was be used for
the expansion of the bathrooms and to be for the dining site as well
as other functions. The North Branch Senior Dining Site held meals
Mondays – Friday, and the Senior Center was used as a multi purpose
center. Activities, programs and events were held daily Monday –
Friday and occasionally on the weekends.
In 1994 ideas for a new center were being discussed. On a cold
Wednesday afternoon on December 13, 2000 we gathered together for a
groundbreaking ceremony for the new center. The old building was
torn down in July 2001. We moved into Uptown Maple Commons building
in October of 2001. We officially open the doors to the public in
November 2001.
What do we offer?
Health Services:
1) A nurse from
Fairview Homecaring provides foot care to seniors such as; nail
trimming, calluses and corn removal, general foot care and instructions
on how to care for your feet.
2)
It was identified that the seniors attending the program were not all
seeking adequate medical attention and from this a collaboration with
Chisago County Public Heath developed. To date a registered public
nurse comes to the center 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month to provide non-invasive nursing care to
seniors.
3)
We are offering a low impact exercise class Monday, Wednesday, and
Friday
mornings. On Tuesdays and Thursdays another exercise program is offered
by UCare with a licensed instructor. Zumba Gold is offered on Wednesday
mornings, and Zumba Gold 2 (Slower paced) is offered Friday mornings as
well.
Educational Services:
Based on the seniors request and needs training classes are
provided on an on-going basis. Some of the classes offered in
previous
years were: Defensive Driving Course, Insurance Seminars, Tax
Preparation, Health and Wellness Classes, Nutrition, Computer Classes,
Legal Assistance, Readers Club, etc.
Recreational Activities:
A monthly calendar is developed with a variety of
activities for the seniors such as: singing, five hundred, writing, bingo, secret pal club, walking, biking, exercise
classes, etc.
Information, Resources and Referrals:
The Chisago County Senior Center utilizes the 211 system to provide many
referrals to resources in the area. The center also has a list of
area services available to provide additional information and referrals
to seniors at the center. The center also brings resources in such
as; free legal services from St. Cloud Area Legal Assistance, tax
preparation through AARP, fuel and phone assistance through Lakes and
Pines, commodities through Second Harvest, Senior assistance with common
questions through Senior LinkAge Line, ect.
Retired Seniors Volunteer Program:
Under this program are three branches of services, the Mentoring
Program, the Craft Program and the Volunteer Program.
The Mentoring Program
teams seniors with youth in the area to mentor.
The Craft Program
collaborates with the local school to create art projects the children
can do with the seniors.
The Volunteer Program
utilizes seniors within the center to assist with the daily operation,
activities and fundraising events.
Board Meetings are held the 3rd
Thursday of every month at 9:30 am and are open to the public.
President- Larry Peterson
Acting Vice President- Roger Sellman
Treasurer- Lois Johnson
We are in need of a secretary and
vice president. If you would like to volunteer your time and sit on our
board please call Dawn for more information, 651-674-8658.
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