The Wallingford Community Senior Center shut down its operations, both social groups and feeding programs, early in March in an attempt to keep safe our seniors and the staff.
As the forced isolation of our seniors goes on longer than anyone would wish, the Wallingford Senior Center want to offer ways for its members, and any seniors, can reach out.
Starting on Wednesday, April 1st, at 11a, the WCSC will launch a Call-In Support Group. Staff members Denise, Ashley, and Mitzi will host a phone chat where seniors can talk to one another and raise questions, concerns and advice for others. There are two ways seniors can join –
- Call in at 11a at 206-350-6745, and be automatically joined to the call
- Or, send your name, the phone number you’d like us to call you at, and the class (support group) you want to join. Send the information to register@wallingfordseniors.org, and you will receive a call at the designated time that says, ‘WCSC is inviting you to a conference call. Press 1 if you would like to join.’ Press 1, and join the call!
Please note, on all calls, the number of participants will be limited to a reasonable number. If too many people want to join, another call may be scheduled for an additional time.
WCSC staff have been making calls to members and regular Wallingford Senior Center participants, just to say hello and check in. For those who haven’t gotten a call, and want one, or any seniors who’d like a check-in, please e-mail register@wallingfordseniors.org or call 206-461-7825 (leave a message if no one answers.) At a time where isolation will keep us safe, the WCSC doesn’t want anyone to feel alone or forgotten.
Seniors at-risk and needing a quieter, emptier time to shop for the essentials, many of our grocery stores and pharmacies have dedicated special hours to shop. The WCSC has found a website (click here) created by King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, that updates those times and schedules.
For those able to get out and work in the garden, either their yard, their neighbors yard, or a P-Patch, the Tilth Alliance (a neighbor to the WCSC in the Good Shepherd Center,) has its Garden Hotline is still up and running. Find the number and more information about Hotline on the TilthAlliance.org website (click here.)
WCSC also wanted to warn its members, and all seniors, about scams being run against those already fearful and concerned about COVID-19 and the Noval Coronavirus. They recommend a TIME Magazine article (click here,) or a YouTube video by CBC News (click here.) The Department of Justice website recommends watching for these scams:
- Individuals and businesses selling fake cures
- Phishing e-mails (unsolicited e-mails) from entities posing as the World Health Organization, or the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
- Malicious websites, and apps, sent as unasked for links, that appear to share virus-related information
- Requests for donations for non-existent or illegitimate charities
Please help our seniors stay safe, and healthy, as we all weather this fearful time. The Wallingford Community Senior Center wants to see all of our seniors through this time, and back at the programs and lunches as soon as we can do so without risk!