By BRENDA BURNS
NEWPORT — A new year brings us hope for the future and time for new adventures and things never done before. The Newport Senior Center has many different options for you to try new things or become more involved at the center.
Alice’s Gift Shop is located inside the center and operates Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The gift shop is a form of fundraising for the center. Items such as puzzles, jewelry, glassware and other unique items are donated to the shop for resale.
The shop is operated by volunteers. More volunteers are needed. If you have one day per week that you can volunteer in the gift shop, contact Russell in the gift shop or Larry Eaton. This is a great way to give back.
Fundraising is a major part of operating the center and is needed in order to keep annual dues to a minimal amount. This year’s dues are $10 if paid by Jan. 31. Dues paid after Jan. 31 will be $15 for the year. Anyone 50 or older can also become lifetime members for $500.
Fundraisers cannot happen without the creativity and help from our members. We welcome suggestions on different ways to help the center raise funds for the center and to create our new contingency fund. The importance of a contingency fund became very apparent after learning of the many deficiencies that the center faced during it reconstruction.
Many great ideas have been discussed but we want to hear from you as well. This is your center and we want the center to flourish for years to come. If you don’t have an idea, you can still help. Make a commitment to volunteer for just one fundraising activity in 2019 or consider making a donation to one of our fundraising events.
Our first fundraising event will be in February during Newport’s Annual Winter Carnival. The center will not be hosting its usual Winter Carnival Dinner this year. Instead, we will be hosting a Winter Carnival Breakfast Buffet.
The buffet will include bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, toast, juices and so much more. Please start planning ahead now and volunteer to help cook, greet or serve this delicious breakfast. You can also help by donating a dozen of eggs, a loaf of bread, or a gallon of orange juice. Keep an eye on those sales as we get closer to February and keep these items in mind to help us raise funds.
We have heard some feedback on activities you would like to see at the center, but more is needed. If there is something of interest to you or information you want to learn more about, please share that information with us. It is helpful to know when planning activities for the center. Let your voice be heard!
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