Wallingford Senior Center to stay open, thanks to new fundraising

The Wallingford Senior Center isn't closing after all.

In the fall, center officials said it would have to close because of the sour economy and troublesome fundraising. It shut down most programs Nov. 1.

But officials have developed a new fundraising strategy and plan to keep the doors open.

"New engagement with our community has brought the will, commitment and intention to move forward," said Jim Stillman, president of the senior-center board.

The center was founded in 1979 and serves 1,500 people.

Unlike other senior centers, the Wallingford center is not affiliated with other agencies. And unlike many senior centers, it has to pay rent, to Historic Seattle, which owns the Good Shepherd Center where it is housed.

Director Kathleen Cromp said in the fall her center owed Historic Seattle about $70,000 in back rent.

The senior center has an annual budget of about $300,000, of which 30 percent comes from the city and 40 percent is supposed to come from private funding. However, last year only about 13 percent came from fundraising, leaving a huge hole in the budget.

After the closure was announced, the center raised thousands of dollars through a fundraiser; a challenge grant of $25,000 was given by an anonymous Wallingford donor.

Since early February, senior-center board members have been working on a way to maintain the center's programs and sustain it financially. The center is one of three remaining senior centers north of the Lake Washington Ship Canal.

Since the financial crisis hit, the center has been operating on a reduced four-day-a week schedule, but officials hope to begin restoring programs next month.

Some neighborhood officials are hoping to establish a Wallingford community center, with the senior center as a key part of it.

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com