LOCAL HEROES: Catering to seniors

Most days of the week, seniors can enrich their lives by walking through the front door of Eatonville Community Center and straight ahead into the multi-purpose room.

There they can socialize, eat a nutritious lunch, play bingo and card games, have a hand in crafts, and generally keep themselves mentally and physically sharp.

The senior services are among programs offered at the center by Eatonville Family Agency. Other programs and resources organized by the non-profit organization with the help of donors and volunteers include a food bank and a separate food service for students, a clothing bank, and assistance enrolling in and navigating government benefits – all “to help our community,” agency officials note.

For the older community members, a regular schedule of activities are offered throughout the week.

Monday, Wednesday and Friday are always big days. Bingo is played from 11 to 11:30 A.M., followed by lunch from 12 to 12:45 and card games at about 1. About 45 to 65 people turn out regularly. In addition to the regular activities, they sometimes are led in low-impact exercises to help them with flexibility.

Tuesday is for crafts – woodcarving from 12 to 3 p.m. and knitting from 10 a.m. to 12.

The senior activities, like all of Eatonville Family Agency’s programs, are open to residents of Eatonville and the southeast Pierce County area. And everything the agency does “is made possible thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, donors and community supporters,” said executive director Alana Smith.