Mary has been a West Allis Senior Center member for 13 years.
“This place helps me and others from being lonely. When you live alone, you can be alone all day and all night, so to come here during the day, you are just alone at night. It’s more tolerable. Loneliness is often common with older people who live alone. Finding a place like this, with friends and activities, really helps break up the day.”
Thirteen years ago, Mary Sullivan found the West Allis Senior Center, and since then, it has been part of her life, every weekday from about 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. She came to the Center when she turned 60, and now at 73 has found the perfect schedule of activities for her day.
Mary has MS, so first thing’s first: Hop onto that NewStep bike in the Senior Center Fitness Center and from 9-11 a.m. get in some exercise “to keep myself as limber as possible. It doesn’t stop or improve anything, but it helps me to maintain movement.”
After that, it’s lunch at the Center. The West Allis Senior Center is one of the various locations where Milwaukee County offers a free lunch program. Donations of $3 are suggested but not required.
After lunch, it’s time for an activity of Mary’s choice: “I used to do more creative classes, but I have to tell you, I got a house full of stuff that I have to get rid of. Most of my friends come here and are all making the same things I do, so to give them as a present doesn’t really help me any either, you know what I mean?”
Mary also volunteers in many ways at the Center. On Wednesday afternoons, she hosts “Movie Time” from movies she borrows from the West Allis Public Library. She also hosts Brewers games when there are day games during the week. “Like Movie Time, if anyone comes up with a new idea, the Senior Center is willing to give it a try and will advertise it and see who shows up to try it out.”
“I don’t think any other senior center could top this place in the area or maybe anywhere, there’s just nothing like this. I’ve had visitors come visit from Florida and other states, and they said there is nothing like this where they live.” She adds, “I’ve looked around at the other senior centers, and they didn’t offer as much as this one does.”
Mary adds that the activities at the Senior Center are for both men and women. “There isn’t more for one or the other. It’s pretty equal.” With free membership and activities, volunteer opportunities and a daily lunch program during the week, Mary shares, “You don’t have to be alone. This is such a great place for seniors.”