11-13-2017 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, October 23, 2017 7:00 o'clock p.m. 8. GILLESPIE CENTER ANNUAL UPDATE AND CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORT — Continued working with other senior centers, her training and the network that is involved with SCS and their contracts, several activities and classes are able to happen at the Gillespie Center because of this collaboration. Mindy Anderson also coordinates for SCS the Meals -On -Wheels program for Orono and Long Lake. The community garden brings fresh produce for Meals -On -Wheel participants. Each year the Gillespie Center tries to be involved in the community and the events the community has and volunteers participate in the Spirit of the Lakes festival, providing bingo, a pork dinner and a booth at the park, as well as provide volunteers for one of the rest areas for the Tour de Tonka. The seniors also host a table at the farmers market and other area festivals and has volunteers that go help at the Feed My Children center. Like most senior centers, the Gillespie Center offers the usual activities, such as an active photography club where they usually take a field trip every week or spend time at the center using new software or camera techniques. The Gillespie Center also has every kind of card club you can think of as well as a beading class, craft clubs, knitting, crocheting, painting, and many other groups the members suggest. Each of these groups is usually organized and run by a volunteer member. There are also several exercise groups, such as line dancing, plus two different levels of exercise with an instructor, including yoga and a Nordic walking group. These are all very popular and help keep the seniors and other community members healthy and involved. This year the Gillespie Center received a U -Care health and wellness grant in connection with the University of Minnesota Extension classes. Because of this grant, the Gillespie Center was able to offer four different classes free to the community: one on nutrition, shopping on budget, core and movement for the body, and stretching and greeting. The grant also helped to subsidize the Gillespie Center's foot care program and there were 109 visits to the nurse that works with the seniors on foot care. A total of 519 people over the age of 50 from all over the area were able to be helped by the grant, which was obtained by the SCS for the Gillespie Center. A senior choir group at the Gillespie Center entertains members at other nursing homes, senior apartment buildings and other places around the area. Other activities are also offered as part of the Gillespie Center's attempt to keep people involved and having fun. Every third Wednesday there is a country jam where singers and musicians come from all over the city area to entertain the seniors. Some Wednesdays there are as few as 50 in the audience and some Wednesdays there are more than 150. Research has shown that it is important for all age groups to be involved with each other. The Gillespie Center has activities during the year that involves students and grandparents. These activities help get the members of the community to do fun activities with each other. Another activity is Santa's Hidden Treasures, which is very popular with the children. Parents and grandparents bring their children to the center where they are able to purchase gifts for a reasonable price that they can give to their family. These gifts are all donated to the center. The participants can also get their picture taken with Santa. The Gillespie Center is also working on adding to the endowment fund with help from the cities of Minnetrista, Mound, and Spring Lake Park so the Gillespie Center will be able to be self-sufficient for future seniors. In order to achieve the goal of matching these funds these cities give to the Gillespie Center, volunteers help host several fundraising activities. Brustad stated they have received help from many, including personal help from Orono's mayor. In addition, the center also hosts a golf tournament, Page 3 of 11