55+ Club — Overview
The LJCA 55+ Club has evolved from the Nisei Club as all the members became the 55+. In 1985 the original meetings were at Ogden Community Center. In 1987, the Nisei Club officially became the LJCA. Following this, the LJCA entered into a partnership with West Thunder to build the Community Center. In 1993 when West Thunder Community Center officially opened its doors the LJCA had a new home.
The LJCA 55+ Club is primarily social, but we do have an elected executive (president, treasurer and secretary). The formal part of the meeting includes taking minutes, reviewing the financials and discussing issues brought forward from the LJCA or of interest or concern to our membership. Following the business part ot the meeting there is usually a game or activity such as rummoli, shut the box, bingo, origami, cornhole. We always end with coffee and a light lunch (toban) and of course socializing.
The Club usually meets at 2 pm on the first Saturday of the month in Multipurpose Room #1 at West Thunder Community Center. Twice a year we have a luncheon, Christmas time and a wind up in June.
We typically have anywhere from 15 to 20 people attending. Our members currently range in age from 65 to 99. We welcome and encourage new people to come out.
The club has a $5 annual membership fee. Our group actively fundraises through bake tables at the WTCC Christmas Craft sale and Corn Roast in September. In addition, we have an annual Chow Mein Noodle sale in the fall. The group also bakes Yaki Manju and sells them at the Matsuri festival in August.
The money from membership and fundraising allows the 55+ Club to pay our portion of rent to WTCC. The rest of the money goes to buy supplies for toban (plates, coffee, subsidize the food, etc), games and prizes, bake sale supplies or outside activities such as bowling.
In the past we have regularly done origami with the residents at Southbridge Pinewood, and done an Origami workshop at WTCC. We also did a series of Sushi workshops several years ago.
Sharon Young
President LCJA 55+ Club
