The Rotary Club of Norfolk Sunrise (RCNS) donated $4,000 to the Port Dover Senior Centre (PDSC) from Catch the Ace funds and challenged the Port Dover Lions (PDL) to match this donation. As a result, the two organizations were able to jointly present $8,000 to the PDSC.
Sue Finnie, President of PDSC is “extremely grateful for the generous donation from the RCNS and the PDL. As a new Centre, we are still in the building stage. We started with very little and are currently operating on mostly donated supplies and the good will of our volunteer facilitators and paid instructors.” The money received from the two service clubs will be used to furnish a rented room that has been relatively bare at the PDSC. This will provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for seniors and will be open for members to drop in for coffee, provide relaxed seating for workshops, and a place to store equipment for presentations.
The PDSC is a volunteer based, community oriented, incorporated non profit organization. The Center seeks to enhance the lives of Seniors living in the Port Dover and surrounding area, by providing opportunities for personal growth, healthy lifestyles, community involvement and social connections, in a safe and inclusive environment.
Sue Finnie, President of PDSC is “extremely grateful for the generous donation from the RCNS and the PDL. As a new Centre, we are still in the building stage. We started with very little and are currently operating on mostly donated supplies and the good will of our volunteer facilitators and paid instructors.” The money received from the two service clubs will be used to furnish a rented room that has been relatively bare at the PDSC. This will provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for seniors and will be open for members to drop in for coffee, provide relaxed seating for workshops, and a place to store equipment for presentations.
The PDSC is a volunteer based, community oriented, incorporated non profit organization. The Center seeks to enhance the lives of Seniors living in the Port Dover and surrounding area, by providing opportunities for personal growth, healthy lifestyles, community involvement and social connections, in a safe and inclusive environment.
Shown in the photo; from the PDL, Rick Weatherill & Brian Jamieson; from the PDSC, Lee Garrett & Sue Finnie and from the RCNS, Dave Nicolle, Mary Mercato & George Cornfield.The PDSC began in 2020 with a vision by Adam Veri and a few other like-minded folks. With the support of the Board of Trade, they were able to secure a Start Up Grant which covered the initial costs with some funds remaining for the initial programs in fitness, and arts. After much delay, due to COVID, a few programs began in March of 2022. In July a formal Board of Directors was elected and in September 2022 the Board of Trade handed control over to the officially incorporated PDSC Board. The program began with grant money, and since that time we have applied for four different grants but have been unsuccessful to this point. Unfortunately, the PDSC is not eligible for the grants the County receives to support their Active Aging Programs.
Currently the PDSC has close to 300 members and is offering 12 different classes in Fitness, Yoga, Line Dancing, Pickleball, Euchre, Writing, Arts, Cardstock, and a weekly Community Café featuring community speakers, who bring information on different aspects of wellness and community supports. Lee Garrett, Vice President of PDSC indicates “in the future we have plans for even more programs, with the goal of making the PDSC a hub for seniors’ activities in the community.” The PDSC has held several fundraising events to offset operational costs and keep membership fees affordable.
Currently the PDSC has close to 300 members and is offering 12 different classes in Fitness, Yoga, Line Dancing, Pickleball, Euchre, Writing, Arts, Cardstock, and a weekly Community Café featuring community speakers, who bring information on different aspects of wellness and community supports. Lee Garrett, Vice President of PDSC indicates “in the future we have plans for even more programs, with the goal of making the PDSC a hub for seniors’ activities in the community.” The PDSC has held several fundraising events to offset operational costs and keep membership fees affordable.
