Rodney has been a Senior Center member for 12 years.

“I keep busy. I mow lawns, I shovel snow. At 72, I still have my strength, so I like to help out.” Rodney is a Fitness Center volunteer at the West Allis Senior Center. Every weekday morning, he comes in to see if he is needed to assist in that area. “It’s a busy place. People like to use the machines we have. Some of the equipment is expensive and used in physical therapy, and it’s only $15 a year for members to use all of the equipment here each day.”

Rodney is a prostate cancer survivor. He is proud to share that he has been cancer-free for 12 years now and is thankful to have found a place like the Senior Center to call home. “I don’t have any living family members anymore, so it’s nice to come here. I feel needed.”

Rodney comes to the Senior Center every day to help. In addition to fitness classes, arts and craft classes and other activities, there are many volunteer opportunities at the Senior Center to participate in. Daily lunchroom help, office help — some members even learn how to knit so they can make winter hats to help a local charity. Others volunteer their time teaching other members how to play a new game, host a movie time, or learn a new skill.

However, many just come for the fun. Wii bowling has a huge following at the Senior Center. At 11:30 a.m., the lobby area gets busy as things get set up for the games to begin. Each “regular” has their own player identified on the screen, with physical features to match. There are even Wii Bowling team shirts that say “One ball, that’s all” on the backs. “Sometimes we just like to have fun.” It’s not all about learning and doing — sometimes you just need a laugh.”

Rodney can usually be seen every weekday at 8:45 a.m. outside the back door of the Senior Center, lunch in hand, waiting for 9 a.m. to begin his day. “It’s a great place. It’s so nice to come where I am needed.”