The Commercial-News, Danville, IL

Local News

September 30, 2009

Senior center gears up for benefit

COVINGTON, Ind. — For many of the senior citizens who use the Friendship Circle Center on a regular basis, the theme for this year’s benefit is most appropriate.

Those seniors and other guests at the benefit Sunday will take a “Sentimental Journey.”

Sunday’s benefit usually raises about a third of the center’s $45,000 operating budget. That does not include the hot meal program and the transportation program.

“Grant money is gone,” said Jane Bowers, center director. “It is mainly for equipment. I can’t find a grant for operational (expenses). The benefit keeps us going,”

The benefit, along with a donation drive at the same time, usually brings in around $15,000.

“I think it is a sign of the times,” Bowers said. “Donations are slow, but they are still good.”

At the start of the week, the goal was at the halfway point.

“People don’t realize what a gem they have here,” Bowers said. “I go to a lot of small communities, and they don’t come close to having something like this. We are very fortunate to have this facility.”

Bowers said the goal is to attract younger seniors.

“The benefit is an integral part of the center,” she said.

This is the 18th benefit, which was the idea of Bowers’ mother, Ruth Davan, when she was the center’s director.

“The focus is on this building,” said Sarah Beedle, benefit co-chairwoman. “The benefit is for this center.”

Beedle has been seeking monetary donations for the center.

“Whatever people can give us is appreciated,” she said.

The entertainment at the benefit will be by the Cayuga-based In the Mood band, featuring Andy Spencer, Sam Johnson, Doug Brown, Brian Byrum and Martin and Helen Whited. Opening the second half of the show will be comedian Marsha Wilkinson, a retired teacher,

The sixth annual Living Legacy Award winner will be presented. Twenty or more gift baskets will be sold through a silent auction or raffle.

Bowers and Beedle hope the community will support the center.

“We are really proud of this facility,” Bowers said.

CENTER BENEFIT

The Friendship Circle Center benefit will be from 6-9 p.m. EDT Sunday at the Beef House Banquet Center. Benefit tickets are $15 per person and are available at the senior center, 1307 Pearl St., or by calling (765) 793-4871.

The center is accepting donations for the annual fundraiser for the maintenance and operation of the center. They can be mailed or dropped off to the center at 1307 Pearl St., Covington, IN 47932.

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Senior center gears up for benefit
by BY DENNIS BARTLOW , , Wed Sep 30, 2009, 07:34 PM CDT
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