I had been delivering meals to Edith, one of our seniors, at her home for about three to four months.  She was 88 years old and I was often the only person she would see each day.  Whenever I brought her lunch, I tried to engage her in conversation, but I wasn’t getting anywhere.  I would smile as much as I could, but rarely got more than a word in response.   I wanted so badly to brighten her day and was very frustrated by my failed attempts.  This all changed when I was leaving on a Tuesday afternoon.  I had gone through my routine of dropping off her meal and, discouraged, was opening the door to go to my next meal drop-off.

“Connie,” she said quietly, “I love you.” 

I stopped dead in my tracks.  It reminded me right then how important the Senior Center is to our elderly.  I had no idea how much she looked forward to me coming each day.  My visit gave her a reason to get dressed, brush her hair and make sure she had her silverware and napkin ready for my arrival.

It is stories like this that put a human face to the programs and services the Senior Center provides.  Lunch is much more than a meal.  Line dancing is much more than a fun event out of their homes.  It is about enriching their lives by fostering socialization and helping the elderly live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.  We want to nourish them body and soul.

The Community Foundation of Jackson Hole plays a major role in making stories like this possible.  Whether through their competitive grants program, Donor Advised grants, Old Bill’s Fun Run or the Senior Center of Jackson Hole Endowment which we established in 2003, the Community Foundation has supported us through funding, technical support, investment management and as an overall non-profit resource.  We appreciate having a strong Community Foundation in Jackson Hole, it has helped make the Senior Center what it is today.

Connie Owen, former Executive Director of the Senior Center of Jackson Hole