The Healy Senior Center is really excited to tell you about the tremendous outpouring of support the Center has received lately. Our long-time friend and neighbor, Monroe Tobin, gave $3,400 to support the congregate meal program this year. This gift was made through the Monroe Tobin Family Fund, a fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation.

Another friend, Roy Heider, remembered so fondly, has gifted $600 for the congregate meal program. This gift arrived from the Roy Heider Family Fund for Southern Humboldt, a fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation. Even though “Toby” and Roy are no longer with us, their love for this community lives on. Through the congregate meal program, we serve about 3,000 hot meals each year in our dining room (Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:30 p.m.). This year the program also received $14,221 from the state (administered by the Area on Aging). We still need to raise $36,000 to cover the cost of this program for one year.

Our Meals on Wheels program received $2,500 from the Senior Citizens Foundation Fund, a fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation. We serve about 3,500 home delivered meals each year. This program was also awarded $15,453 from the state (administered by the Area on Aging) and $3,500 in federal FEMA money administered through the United Way. We will need to raise $10,000 to cover the cost of this program for one year.

Our Frozen Meal program was awarded $1,000 from the Andrew and Bertha Pon Memorial Fund, a fund of the Humboldt Area Foundation. With the additional support of a grant from the Vitamin Cases Consumer Settlement Fund, we serve about 3,700 frozen meals each year.

Lastly, the Union Labor Health Foundation awarded $3,000 for a new staff position “addressing malnutrition through health promotion and advocacy.” On behalf of the Board of Directors and the seniors of Southern Humboldt, thank you for the support to our programs. Thanks are also extended to De-Anne Hooper of Hooper Consulting. De-Anne wrote these grants for us at an affordable rate. She really did a terrific job.

As you can see, nutrition is the cornerstone of the senior center’s activities. Grants cover a portion of the cost, and we raise the remainder. We still have some work to do to reach our goal. You can help support the senior center by participating in the following fundraisers:

o The 14th annual Giant Healy Yard sale and Raffle is coming up on August 28 and 29 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. both days at 1026 Redway Drive in Redway. We are accepting donations now. Call 923-2399 to make arrangements for drop off or pick up.

o Pancake breakfast is hosted on the second Saturday of every month. The next one is scheduled for August 14 from 9 a.m.-noon at the senior center, 456 Briceland Road in Redway.

o Our quarterly dinners .

o Our annual appeal letter, mailed in the spring.

Submitted by Rebecca Arcos, HSC Executive Director