Tumwater recognizes Senior Services for South Sound as it turns 50

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sullivan signed a proclamation recognizing the contribution of Senior Services for South Sound in uplifting the lives of seniors on Tuesday, July 18, as the non-profit celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

The organization has been working to provide varied services to seniors of Thurston and Mason Counties since it was founded in 1973. One of its largest programs is focused on senior nutrition and includes the Meals on Wheels program, where seniors can get meals directly delivered to their homes upon request.

Volunteer driven

Asked by the city council what kind of help the organization needs, Executive Director Brian Windrope said they are always looking for more volunteers.

Windrope noted that their organization is staff-led but volunteer-driven, with 49 employees outnumbered by around 200 volunteers. He said they need various types of volunteers to help them in their programs.

Windrope mentioned they have volunteers for their Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors program. Seniors may take advantage of the program to receive unbiased and confidential advice regarding Medicare services.

Windrope also said that they have volunteers working as kitchen workers or delivery drivers for the Meals on Wheels program – and noted that there is a waitlist for those wanting to volunteer as drivers.

He added that they have volunteers who accompany seniors on out-of-town or out-of-county excursions through the Trips and Tours program.

In regards to donations, Windrope encouraged people to donate no matter how small. He said that through the years, the organization mostly relied on around a thousand donors who make $50 to $100 donations and that they don’t depend on any one donor.