At Blaine Senior Center, members treated like ‘family’

“It feels like family.”

That phrase adorns new T-shirts for Blaine Senior Center. The center came up with the slogan after polling members, who focused on the friendliness and warmth they’ve found at the center.

“Members come first,” says director Dana Hanks. “It’s an attitude of service. We hear what members want and put things in action.”

The center often adds activities based on members’ suggestions. As a result, the facility has a state-of-the-art gym, classes in tai chi and ballroom dancing, and games such as bingo and Wii bowling. Most activities are free with the $35 annual membership.

The center has about 700 members, ranging in age from their 50s to their 90s. About 100 people participate each day. Annual fundraisers include a fall holiday bazaar, spring English tea and a summer pancake breakfast.

The center attracts people from Birch Bay, Custer and Canada, as well as Blaine itself. Some members have lived in the area since birth; many are new to the region.

“It doesn’t matter who you are,” says administrative assistant Jodi Sipes. “We help them become involved. It’s a place to belong.”

The center’s pet-friendly approach attracts some members. People can bring their pet along, whether a Guinea pig or a dog on a leash.

Another draw is the gym, a bargain at the cost of annual membership. To use the equipment, people must first take a training class, one of the few activities with an extra fee. A dedicated group arrives at opening time to exercise, including a 93-year-old woman who eagerly waits at the door.

About 70 people volunteer at the center, setting up for special events, helping the Meals on Wheels program, working on planning committees.

Members offer classes, too. One woman taught stretching classes until health problems made it difficult for her to lead the class regularly. The group still meets and follows her on video, and welcomes her back whenever she can guide them in person.

The center also keeps track of people who might be having problems. If a regular doesn’t show up for a few days, a staff member checks to make sure the person is OK.

That collaborative approach reaches beyond the members. The center is teaming up with the Boys and Girls Club and other local organizations, and plans to open a place next door to hold events.

“It will be nice to have the line-dancing room separate from the dining room,” Sipes says.

The center’s space is owned by the city of Blaine, which also helps pay for staffing. Funding also comes from the Whatcom County Council on Aging and other organizations. At the center, the director and three administrative assistants handle almost every situation.

“We do it all,” says Hanks, “everything from unplugging the toilets to meeting with the city.”

This story was originally published January 3, 2016 at 10:02 PM with the headline "At Blaine Senior Center, members treated like ‘family’."