West Seattle Blog… | Video: “stress magic”, music, movement highlight center for the lively breakfast of Active Living 2025

(WSB photos/video)

From tracy record
West Seattle Blog Editor

One of the spokesman at The Center for Active LifeThe fundraising breakfast served a word with which they can exceed stress.

In fact, the entire event could have been characterized as a stress reduction – the more money the center has, the less it has to worry how it will continue to be able to pay the many programs and services that it offers as “as”The center of everything“The topic of this year's event took place on Tuesday morning Alki Masonic Center In the intersection.

The breakfast event last year presented the new name of the former senior center and reflected its status as the center of the community connection for people of all ages. Since then managing director Amy Lee Derenthal With the 200 participants on Tuesday morning, the center told more than ever in its 50-year history more than 1,500 members, three times as much as in 2021 at the age of 20s to 100 years. The center has added new programs to more than 50 programs per week. The center feeds people through the community fining and Margies CaféAnd every month delivers 400 meals “to homemade people”. With the help of volunteers you offer technical navigation, make home visits Westside friendsand employees of the Stop & shop On the lower level of the center. In addition, its employees include two social workers. Her work includes the execution of self -help groups that regularly serve more than 100 people.

“As a small non -profit organization in the community, we constantly stretch our budget to meet our needs,” said Denenthal. It's a challenge, but it is “my dream job,” she said, her voice just cracked a bit with emotions. Here is everything she told the crowd:

It is not the only one for whom the Center for Active Representation fulfills dreams of making someone else's life. “It's nice to deal with people who help other people,” said a volunteer/member of this new video, which debut at breakfast.

Donors also experienced fulfillment, including board member Emily Austinwho spoke about their reasons to give.

She spoke of growing up in family circumstances that prompted her to drive older adults, even when she was a child. After moving here in 2011, she was involved in the center. Then she entered his board in 2022 and learned the “bravery and courage” that it takes to operate a non -profit organization. “We need the center to thrive the coming years,” she said, pleading the participants to enable this with their gifts.

The work of the center offers everything, from classes to meals to social events and group meetings. The participants were allowed to try some of these offers – like the Ukulele group:

And pianist extraordinary Larry Knappwhich leads the line -up in jazz nights in the center:

Not much for music? How about movement?

Denise Geroux Was on stage to demonstrate something of what she taught in the center and “body awareness … can learn how to support yourself through her skeleton …”. We should concentrate on that, not just on our muscles.

And then came the “stress magic” that we mentioned at the beginning of this story. Dat tranStress Mastery Coach showed how the word “extraordinary” can help them conquer stress:

“Instead of concentrating on reducing their stress or relating less stress, they concentrate on feeling extraordinary,” he advised.

Many in the room had reasons to do exactly that, moderator Ryan Sheaffer Proposed, opened the morning with a round of recognition, especially for the volunteers. And he vigorously led a round of living living-to-living-sie could even contribute by text! – Bring the center near its target of 75,000 US dollars.

“Your support supports the physical, mental and emotional well -being of this community,” said Board President Stephanie Bruno Finally. “I was committed because I thought for the first time that it was a great place for my grandmother. Then I realized that it was a great place for me.”

How you can help: Today we followed the Executive Director Derenthal. She says: “Many thanks to everyone who donated. We are close to our goal of 75,000 US dollars. Help us to cross the finish line by making a donation! Gifts $ 500+ will match thanks to a generous donation from Nucor.” The donation link is here.