Historic Senior's Day 1985-1992
Seniors Day was a day set aside to serve seniors 60 years and older. The first day of the month was decided to be that day. This day of the month was always the slowest day for The Grocery Shelf and Hot Meals Programs. Generally those who received government assistance got checks and were busy paying rent and bills. On the other hand, many seniors were on fixed incomes with Social Security benefit check arriving around the 5th of the month so they really needed more help.
In 1985-86 many daily volunteers were seniors in their sixties and seventies. They helped with the cooking, hanging the clothing, answering the telephones, packing food and groceries and serving meals. They came from all over, Minneapolis, St Paul, the suburbs, other churches and from the Grocery Shelf and Meals Programs. Many became very good friends who were always there when you needed them which was often. They generally had a good word and were always amazed at our achievements of which they played an important part. Now it was time for them to have some fun on Senior's Day!
We started by recruiting helpers since many of the volunteers would be enjoying the day. Of course we couldn't expect them to help on a day meant for them to enjoy. Well along come some faithful church members. There was Alicia Saunders and Paul Hanson worked together selling real estate who came in each month and Sue Hastings would play the piano and sing and help with meal preparations. Carolyn Lee would bring her Mom and help with groceries. Many others would just show up and some of the senior volunteers refused to just sit so they would check in the guests or make sure the coffee station was stocked. And then there were the special guests like 'Skip' Humphrey who helped prep and serve a meal on St Patrick's Day. We inadvertently said it was a special day to him because he was Irish. He corrected us quickly and stated he was Welch (from Wales). We all had a memorable time. Skip is shown in the kitchen prepping lunch trays with his aid Bill and Charity Daniels our regular senior volunteer who worked with us for ten years full time. We all loved Charity!
What a day it was complete from start to finish. It started the day before prepping food for a special Dinner Buffet. Then we would decorate all the tables with table cloths and center pieces or vases of flowers. Usually the theme was some monthly holiday like Valentine's Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day were the very obvious holidays. Or maybe it would be a Hawaiian Luau or Talent Show or Fashion Show. The theme just added to the fun of it all.
All of the guests would have to sign in. Then to the coffee and Continental Breakfast table set up with Danish, rolls, and juice and coffee. Then open the Clothing Closet stocked with clothing and household items. Then everyone was seated in the dining room and our special guests would come such as Attorney General Humphrey and share vital information for seniors. Most time we would rent a movie from Billy Graham or sponsor a senior participation event like a Fashion Show.
Many times our own senior's four member band played. We discovered our senior Charles at the Talent Contest. He sang so good we were all so amazed he sounded like Frank Sinatra. Come to find out he was a musician drummer with his own band that played at various parties. So they set up their sound equipment on the stage and left it permanently there and played when we needed them. After the band played and the dancing was finished it was time to eat. A grand Lunch Buffet was served. Then it was time for the announcements and free $100 cash drawing that the church sponsored. Someone went home with $100 check. To stave off disappointments since only one winner walked away with the cash we had free drawings for pies and cakes and other specialty baked goods. Finally, coming to a close everyone lined up said their good byes and received grocery bags packed with just the foods they liked. The only thing left was the clean-up!
