(Chelsea Update would like to thank Trinh Pifer for the information in this story.)
Starting Monday, Jan. 18, residents of The Pines Senior Apartments and the Chelsea Retirement Community (CRC) independent living, can get a free ride to the senior lunch program offered at the Chelsea Senior Center from Monday through Friday.
Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE) bus will be providing free rides to and from the senior center, starting at 11:30 a.m. from The Pines and 11:35 a.m. from the CRC Dancey House, with a return ride at 1 p.m.
Funding for this new free service was provided by the United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation and the WAVE.
“We are so excited to have this resource for our residents who can benefit from the socialization and the nutritious hot lunch offered at the senior center,” says Kristy Collins, executive director of The Pines.
In 2015, the senior center, in partnership with the Chelsea School District, served over 25,000 senior meals for both the congregate and Meals on Wheels programs. This represents an increase of 14 percent from the year before.
“The senior lunch program is an important resource for so many seniors living in our community,” said Jim Alford, president of the Chelsea Senior Center Board of Directors in a press release.
“It’s not just about the meals, but the friendships that are formed,” he said, adding, “Having this free ride will really help improve quality of life for so many seniors without transportation options. We are fortunate to have a resource like the WAVE bus system available in our community.”
The WAVE bus is celebrating its 40th anniversary and offers a variety of services including a door-to-door service and a regular free route through downtown.
For more information about schedules and routes, please visit www.ridethewavebus.org or call 734- 475-9494.
The Chelsea Senior Center is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit located in the Washington Street Education Center at 512 E. Washington St., with office hours Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Please call the center at 734-475-9242 to make lunch reservations 24 hours in advance. Visit www.chelseaseniors.org for more information about programs and services.
The UMRC Foundation is the charitable arm for United Methodist Retirement Communities, with headquarters in Chelsea, Michigan. The mission of the UMRC Foundation is to promote the wellness, dignity, and independence of seniors by supporting the residents, staff, and communities UMRC serves.
