By VERONIKA MAGNELIND
The Family YMCA
This year’s Senior Appreciation Night happened on May 27. It is the second time we pulled it off after the two years of hiatus during 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. This brings the tally to 37 successfully executed celebrations for an event that has been running for 39 years! Next year SAN will turn 40 years old!!
In 2023 we were able to bring back the Trolley Ride, Fractal Show at PEEC and the ever so loved movie show at SALA! Breakfast was brought to the Seniors by Kiwanis who offered a really smashing buffet at Fuller Lodge.
Scenes From SAN. Courtesy photos
This is my second year working with the Senior Appreciation Night Committee, which consists of community members from a wide variety of businesses, organizations and churches. It costs a little over $12,000 to do SAN. Since the pandemic we have been struggling with funds and this year was no exception. But this community always rallies!
Kiwanian, beloved community member and longtime SAN Volunteer Morrie Pongratz was at the grill this year again and he was joined by the newest Volunteer for SAN Emma who will be class of 2031!
Thank you to all parents and community members that donated towards the production of a safe celebration for our Seniors. You helped purchase grand prizes that were awarded to Seniors who participated through the whole night. Among the prizes were Headphones, iPads, Galaxy Tablet, Skateboard and a helmet, Windows Laptop, Nintendo Switch and a Cash Prize of $500.
There are some fantastic businesses and organizations in town that are long time collaborators and donors. Thank you to Barranca Mesa PTO, LAFD, LAPD, Mesa Public Library, Rebound Physical Therapy, The Family YMCA, Los Alamos County REC, Plateau Property Management, Zia Credit Union, PEEC, Pig and Fig, Methodist Church, Church of Latter-Day Saints, Kiwanis, Ruby K’s, DWI Council, Dr. Honsinger, Rio Grande Orthodontics, Los Alamos Y Teen Center, Posada Dental Works and Dr. Garimella. You all helped with the above-mentioned prizes, BBQ feast, fabulous breakfast, inflatable Toys Rental, Face Painting, Magic Show, Henna art and the Magic Mirror at Fuller Lodge.
There are many fantastic businesses and organizations in town, among them are new collaborators and donors. Thank you to Wolf and Mermaid who served hot beverages for all the visitors at the Past, Present and Future station at the Mesa Public Library, Los Alamos Arts Council that took us over the right side of the budget line with their donation and SALA for helping with the midnight movies!
Not all walked or came to SAN but we had 245 visitors at the Teen Center and 180 of them did handprints on the walls of the Los Alamos Teen Center. About 140 seniors had breakfast at Fuller Lodge around 2:30 am.
I know these graduates have a bright future ahead of them as the majority of them tried to do the math to see what their chances of winning the prize they really wanted were before they put their ticket in the bag.
Again, thank you to our volunteers and all our donors, you are fantastic and I look forward to working with you all this coming Senior Appreciation night, May 25, 2024.
Work hard class of 2024, I will see you at graduation!