Join the Fun: Wenatchee Valley Senior Center Galas

The Wenatchee Valley Senior Activity Center will soon be hosting a couple of theme-heavy fundraising galas: the Swashbuckler's Ball and Celebrity Waiter Dinner.

The activity center needs additional space to accommodate its growing popularity and endless bustle. In particular, the Second Chance Thrift Shop is a sizzling commodity, commanding ever more space.

Every month, according to board member Erin Cass, 50 to 60 new people join the ranks of the WVSAC faithful. It's a younger, spryer clientele than ever before.

"There's lots of programs," Cass says. "Health equity programs, technology, exercise, fitness, lunch programs. So we're adding 6,400 square feet - that's just the north end of the activity center. That'll open up seven more rooms for activities."

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"Right now we'll just too full." Cass says the necessary expansions and renovations will cost $4M. So far the activity center, which is entirely self-supporting (no taxpayer funding), has hauled in $280K.

First up is the all-ages Swashbuckler's Ball (Sat., Sept. 21, 6-9pm). The LakeBoys, a highly danceable guitar-and-synth duo, are performing live. Guests are invited to feast on "heavy hors d'oeuvres." Beer and wine will be available for grown-ups' imbibing pleasure

Pirate costumes are encouraged but optional, Cass says: "If you really want to get your hook and your eyepatch, you can, but [otherwise] just come out and have a good time. The point is to hear some good music and honor Dave." (The ball is dedicated to Dave Tosch, the activity center's newly retired former executive director.)

Tickets to the ball are $50; they're available for purchase at the front desk of the activity center. Alternatively, you can call 509-662-7036. Act now before tickets sell out!

Cass describes the Celebrity Waiter Dinner (Sat., Sept. 28, 6-8pm) as a "rousing good time." In addition to live music and a playfully competitive "dessert dash," gala goers will have a choice of two entrees: prime rib and salmon.

You'll also have your pick of waitstaff. Read on to understand why this is noteworthy.

All the servers are household names in our region. Some hold elected office; others are senior-level decision-makers at illustrious institutions. Click here for a roster of participating celebs.

Tickets to the dinner are $70; they, too, are purchasable by phone (same number as above) or at the front desk.

This Temple, Texas DoorDasher Helped an Elderly Woman Get Fresh Start

Shelby Moeller never imagined that an odd request while delivering for Door Dash would lead to a life-changing experience for him as well as an elderly woman who needed more than food.

He described his initial encounter on Facebook, thanking people who offered to help the 78-year-old woman he named 'Jane Doe' to protect her privacy. On March 20th, he was able to share some amazing news on Facebook.

"Many of you probably remember my post last week about door dashing and coming across an elderly woman in deplorable conditions. When I made the post, I was thinking that I just needed to raise awareness that our elderly right here in our community are often alone, forgotten, and in need of help. I never imagined that through my post, God was going to provide a small but mighty army of volunteers that would jump in and save Jane Doe."

Jane Doe had to be moved out of her apartment while biohazard disinfecting was done by Spotless Crime Clean. All furniture, carpet, and most of her possessions had to be thrown away. There was also no edible food, as everything in the kitchen was either expired or infested with insects.

Shelby was able to spend some time with the woman, who he described as his 'new adopted grandma'. He learned about her background, and how she had struggled throughout her entire life, being reduced to having nothing multiple times. She had developed some hoarding behaviors, and he believed that some of that was due to her fear of losing everything again.

Take a look at the before and after photos of the amazing transformation of her home that changed a Central Texas woman's life and helped her start over in a healthy environment.

Gallery Credit: Tamme Taylor