Bemidji Senior Citizen Center is a Place of Fun, Learning and Camaraderie

Many people have the impression that senior citizen centers are places where the elderly go just to pass the time away but the truth is they are places filled with lively people, interesting discussions, continued learning, and plentiful opportunities to volunteer within the community. At the Bemidji Senior Citizen Center in Bemidji, Minnesota, senior citizens aren't at the end of their life or ability to contribute to society, they are just getting started.

The Bemidji Senior Center, officially known as The Beltrami County Senior Citizen Council on Aging, is located in beautiful downtown Bemidji at 216 Third Street NW. Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM the building comes alive early as the Senior Creations Gift Shop opens for business and seniors come in for the various programs offered.

There are a variety of opportunities for senior citizens age 55+ to become involved in both the center and the community. The senior citizens center houses the Lutheran Social Service (LSS) Lunch Program, Meals on Wheels, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the Senior Creations Gift Shop, the AARP Defensive Driving Course and the AARP Tax Assistance Program. On Monday mornings you can find the Card Ladies in the conference room making beautiful hand-made cards to sell in the lobby to raise money for the center. On Tuesday and Thursday afternoons you will find senior citizens downstairs playing cards. During the week there is also senior aerobics, yoga, and Scrabble played every other Wednesday afternoon.

The third Thursday of each month seniors are invited to join Muriel Keaveny who hosts the Reminiscing and Current Events group. They discuss past occurrences, new items in the news and also bring along old family photos to share. Every Monday afternoon you can hear the lovely voices of the 3rd Street Singers, the center's chorus group. The 3rd Street Singers perform in and around the Bemidji area for local events and are very popular at church and nursing home functions.

At noon each day the LSS Lunch Program serves a nutritious lunch to seniors for a small donation. Prepared and served on site, senior volunteers set tables, serve and clean up. With bus service to and from the senior center, this lunch is an excellent opportunity for seniors to come together and socialize while eating a healthy meal.

During the months of February-April the AARP Tax Program sets up downstairs at the senior center three times a week to help senior citizens or low-income individuals prepare their taxes at no cost. Volunteers, usually retirees themselves, help prepare and file taxes electronically for the individuals. In the summer they also work one day each month to help with rent rebates and property rebates.

Each day volunteers help run the Senior Creations Gift Shop that is located inside the Bemidji Senior Center. The shop is filled with handmade items by local seniors who sell their items on consignment. Money raised by the gift shop is donated to the senior center. There are a number of well-crafted items available for sale making the gift shop a wonderful place to snoop and poke around.

Through the RSVP and the America Reads Program, seniors have the ability to volunteer both at the senior center and in other areas of the community. Through America Reads, seniors can apply to volunteer in local grade schools reading with children. There are many opportunities for seniors to use their skills throughout the community through the RSVP Program and America Reads.

The second Saturday of each month the Bemidji Senior Center puts on a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser. This fun and delicious fundraiser is run by a lively group of volunteers, many of whom have been working it for 20+ years. The volunteers enjoy helping to earn money for the senior center while having the opportunity to visit with guests who come for the delicious breakfast. It is one of the best fundraiser, both in fun and money, which the senior center puts on regularly.

The Bemidji Senior Center is a place full of interesting and exciting things to do and opportunities for seniors who want to continue to enjoy life to its fullest. For more information you can visit their website: www.paulbunyan.net/users/bccoa.