Lynn was born in England. Met her husband in Germany, had a career in retail management, retired, and ran the TX Senior Center in Börne, TX(Americanized to Boerne, a small town, pop. 10,000, near San Antonio, originated by '48ers - utopian idealists seeking freedom as a result of the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire at that time. Boerne is noted as the location of the first polo matches in the U.S., having the 2nd oldest courthouse in Texas,
and launching a court case ending in 1997 in the US Supreme Court in which the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, enacted in 1993, was unconstitutional).
Lynn said, she doesn't really have a speech, but.... "Thanks to Jul for inviting her here, and thanks to Rotary for helping with Senior Center here, including painting the outside of the building (on Cahuilla across from high school). The Borrego Senior Center was originally started by Bev Kurtz as combo childrens & senior center.
"What we do is provide fellowship for local seniors, meals 3 days a week, deliver meals to home-bound 5 days a week -- spot check to see if they are okay, and providing smiling welcoming face to homebound. Menu is provided so that seniors can chose home delivery days.
"The numbers participating in these programs fluctuates as local seniors come and go (going to visit relatives, leaving town for medical reasons, etc.).
It's a small part of the community that actually sign up for home delivery.
An article was recently published in the local paper(s) asking for greater participation of the Hispanic community.
"We need to get word out if anyone actually needs it. The recommended cost is $5.50/meal, but is only a suggested donation. Food is from Kendalls. Sr. Center pays Kendalls $6.40/meal, so the SC subsidizes these meals.
"Bingo on Friday night is the hottest event of the week.
Exercises in morning Tues, Friday. Tuesday lunch. Monday & Thursday are open for any event.
AA meetings are held here, along with a weekly movie.
"Our hours are 10am-2pm, as most people don't want to drive in evenings.
"We do deliver meals to the homebound... Not "Meals on Wheels", but another locally funded program. "Meals on Wheels" is actually a large international organization. 2 articles in the Borrego Sun described the difference of Senior Center & "Meals on Wheels".
"In addition to our usual schedule, others can make use of our facility, for example, Anza Borrego State Park has a couple potlucks in the Senior Center every year, but it's also available for other groups.
"It's Very difficult getting programs going... possibly due to 'dated appearance' of Sr. Center.
We are trying to make the inside of our building more attractive.
"A little shop was created inside the center where people donate things and the center inflates the price for the benefit of the center.
Members are getting more involved volunteering.
"There are not many members in the center. Yesterday there were only 9, but for Thanksgiving dinner, we had 50. Seasonally, it varies.
"Wednesdays: Quilting group can be 10-12 in number in the mornings and in the evenings the bridge group can occupy 4 tables.
"For Friday movies - the most we have had is 10, but the turnout can be as low as 2 in light season (summer).
Movies are from Netflix (Lynn surprises them, but also takes requests).
"Bingo, last week, had 40 people! It has grown since starting it 3 years ago.
"More people are coming from motor home areas, and even people are coming from Salton Sea!"
"For delivering to homebound, our deliverers MUST see the person, because it is NOT just delivering food, but also a spot check to see if they are okay. In one instance recently, a man had fallen, and help was called for by our deliverer.
"Bed-bound people tend to not eat right, so at least they get 5 balanced meals every week.
One gentleman likes the salads, and orders 2 sometimes.
Some people can't pay, but deliveries still come.
There are no special meals, but they are all pretty low sodium.
"Kendalls provides the menu and Lynn may tweak it and then gives it to a dietician in SD, who also can modify it.
Related to the money, there is a loss with homebound meal delivery. The county subsidizes it, but the county has been reducing this subsidy due to it's own financial predicament, so we have had to scramble to make up the difference.
"Last year we served 3031 meals, but towards the end of the county's fiscal year at the end of June, we are on our own, as funding from the county ceases."
Lynn has only been there 1 year, but Andrew said there's been many improvements since she's been there.
New roof, new fridge, etc.
Bill Horn, our county (district 5) supervisor, has donated $4K for the flooring.
Next will be a new dishwasher. Diane Hydoski offered to donate $250 and asked anyone in the club to match this.
Winning ticket: The winner donated to the approximately $20 to the Senior Center. Several members matched the $20 and also donated to Senior Center.
