Morgan Hill is first city in county to be designated as an “Age Friendly City” by the World Health Organization.
Photo courtesy Dorie Sugay
Seniors Margaret Perez, and Eva Llamas enjoy hanging out at the Morgan Hill Senior Center. Morgan Hill has been designated as an “Age Friendly City” by the World Health Organization.
By Dorie Sugay
Dorie Sugay
Described by the famous Thomas Kinkade as “one of the great, authentic small towns,” Morgan Hill is thankfully also the first in Santa Clara County to be designated as an “Age Friendly City” by the World Health Organization.
One of the many ways Morgan Hill has proven its commitment to this designation is by ensuring that the Centennial Recreation Senior Center met the varying needs of its aging population.
In 2019, the Endowment Committee, a subgroup of the Senior Advisory Committee, launched a new fundraising campaign that was meant to better secure the future of the center’s programs. Sadly, the pandemic put a stop to this effort. But it is time to get the ball rolling again. This column is the center’s way of re-launching their fundraising efforts and will be reaching out to the community for support.
Some older adults resist the idea of a “senior center” because those two words conjure up images of “old people” who are not having a good time. This is an image you will soon forget as soon as you step into the center. You’d run into someone like Gina, who initially resisted the idea of going to the Senior Center and is now a raving fan.
“I was mad when my son told me to go to the center,” she said. “Now, when my caregiver is not scheduled, there is no way I would miss the delicious and inexpensive lunches and the vibrant chitchats.”
Then there’s John who got very depressed when he had to give up the keys to his beloved Camaro.
“Losing my ability to drive was suffocating until I discovered the Senior Center’s RYDE program. It’s safe — the volunteer drivers have been vetted carefully … They are polite and fun and many have become friends.”
You may run into Diana who lives alone on a tight budget. She goes to the Senior Center for her weekly delicious meal which she swears is better than a meal at a few good restaurants; or John who lost his wife of 53 years and goes to the center for “life-giving visits.”
Sandra Madriles, nutrition coordinator for the Senior Cafe, serves barbecue ribs at the Halloween-themed lunch Oct. 30. She and her staff served about 120 meals to local seniors that day. The Senior Center asks for a $3 donation from seniors 60 years or older for the lunches.
Photo by Marty Cheek
“I hardly say much when I’m there, but I enjoy being around people who are making life work,” he said.
There’s Jeannie who can’t be more grateful for the tax advice she received.
“When I did not show up as I usually did, someone called to check on me,” she said. These people, they’ve got your back.”
And indeed, the Senior Center staff and volunteers do become family to those who come to the center. Besides the meals, which the center continued to distribute even during the pandemic, they offer enrichment programs/presentations, fitness classes, social activities, social services like assistance with legal challenges, etc.
The Senior Center has worked hard to show the community that Morgan Hill is committed to being an age-friendly city — working to maximum efficiency with its numerous partnerships, lean staff team and committed volunteers.
The Senior Center is funded by the city of Morgan Hill, and by partners such as the YMCA, County of Santa Clara (Senior Nutrition) and Friends of the Morgan Hill Senior Center. When budget cuts became necessary, the continuance of the center’s services and support were at risk. A group of residents, headed by Cricket Rubino, started Friends of the Morgan Hill Senior Center. The nonprofit immediately conducted fund-raising campaigns and an on-going bingo game. The Senior Center not only survived the cuts, it thrived.
To keep up with the growing population of older adults, the Senior Center will need help to secure the future of these programs. Although the city and its partners remain committed, thousands of our most vulnerable residents are in need of additional support services to help them age in place and stay connected with the community. With rising costs and growing demand for services and an unpredictable economy, more help is needed.
The Endowment Campaign is for our current seniors, and for future generations. Whether you wish to give a gift of your legacy, a gift to honor or memorialize someone you care about, or you just plainly recognize that every little bit of help is critical to ensuring that the programs continue, please consider participating in this endeavor by sending a donation.
If you’d like to donate $5,000 or more, we can arrange for a five-year pay-out plan if necessary. Whether you choose to donate deferred gifts, outright gifts or bequests in wills, we will recognize generous contributions of $5,000 or more by placing your name or company name on the Friends of Morgan Hill’s Senior Center Giving Tree. Naming rights at the Senior Center are also available. Please contact Debbie Vasquez at (408) 782-4254.
Dorie Sugay is the executive director/owner of Visiting Angels in Gilroy, which provides assistance to older adults between Morgan Hill and Hollister. Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
