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Senior Center deer blind raffle to help fund essential services

By Darby Hinkley 2 min read
Courtesy Photo The staff of Thunder Bay Fyzical Therapy and Balance Centers donated $500 toward the Alpena Senior Citizens Center Meals on Wheels Program. The staff collects money for wearing jeans on Fridays, and each quarter they donate the funds to support a local business or family. Pictured are Mascot Finley, Bruce Duncan, Maia Haske, Alpena Senior Citizens Center Director Annie Hepburn, and Kim Weiland. The group is pictured with the deer blind that will be raffled off on Sept. 15. Tickets are available at the senior center.

ALPENA -- In an effort to raise funds for essential programs and services, the Alpena Senior Citizens Center is holding a deer blind raffle at noon on Friday, Sept. 15. Proceeds will go toward Meals on Wheels to provide meals to seniors in Alpena County.

Tickets are $10 each or three for $20, available at the senior center, 501 River St. You must be 18 or older to purchase tickets. You do not need to be present to win.

Dave and Randy Kamysiak of Posen built the blind. Supplies were donated by Builders First Source of Alpena. The total approximate value of the deer blind is $3,560.

Sponsors include Matt Haske, Max Kannowski, Howard Johnson, Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union, Cliff Anschuetz, HPC Credit Union, Jimmie Garant's Party Store, Rusty Petunias Marketplace, Hungry Howie's Pizza, Alpena Furniture and Flooring, Mango's Tequila Bar, Perch's IGA, PIF Cider, Alpena Community Credit Union, Young's Appliance, LeFave Pharmacy, Wolverine State Credit Union, Bolenz Jewelry, The Fresh Palate, Fitzpatrick's Hardware, JJ's Steak and Pizza House, Cracker Barrel, Black Sheep Pub, and Home Depot.

Meals on Wheels is not the only essential service the senior center offers to Alpena County residents.

"Alpena seniors need your help," said Annie Hepburn, director of the Alpena Senior Citizens Center.

She explained that transportation services for Alpena County seniors will stop Sept. 15 because of an $8,000 funding shortfall. Transportation services are offered at no cost to seniors to get them to and from medical appointments, and to programs like exercise at the senior center. Funding will kick back in on Jan. 1, 2024, at which time transportation services will resume.

"The seniors need help," Hepburn added. "They can't all drive and they can't all get here."

She noted that isolation can lead to loneliness and depression.

"If they can't get here and they have to stay home all the time, that's not a good thing," Hepburn said.

She explained that the senior millage and government funding factors into their budget, but that this time of year, much of the funding wears thin heading into the fall and winter months.

"We get state and federal funds, but most of them are earmarked for certain things," Hepburn said.

Call the senior center at 989-356-3585 for more information.

Hepburn said deer blind raffle tickets will also be available at the Posen Potato Festival Sept. 8 through 10.

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