What began as a modest monthly potluck in the 1970s is now a cornerstone of the community for over 600 seniors in north Clark County. On Monday, June 23, Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. (BGSC) marked its 50th anniversary with a packed celebration at the Battle Ground Event Center.
“It’s overwhelming,” BGSC president Sharon Wodtke said. “There were so many faces I didn’t even recognize. That tells me we’ve reached more than just our regulars. This is more community people have come out … and they’re enjoying themselves.”
The event, which featured free food, raffle prizes and club booths, saw a turnout far beyond what the all-volunteer nonprofit had expected. Dozens of locals turned up to volunteer for the event, including Battle Ground Mayor Troy McCoy, who manned the grill.
Founded in 1975, the group numbered 30 participants when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Faced with isolation and closures, four new police officers, several of whom were new to the area, got to work.
They began calling every senior they knew and kept a running list of names and needs. Officers organized monthly meetups at Kiwanis Park, where they handed out goody bags and checked in with seniors from a safe distance.
“We stood in the snow, sleet and rain handing out bags from the back of a pickup truck,” Wodtke said. “When we opened the doors again, 90 people showed up. That’s how it started to grow.”
Since then, participation has surged to 667 and continues to rise. The group now runs everything from potlucks and Lunch & Learn events to walking groups, board games and more.
“Loneliness has been the biggest killer of our seniors in this community,” she said. “They felt like a forgotten generation. That’s why this matters.”
Board member Sharon Punteney, who helps run Game Day and other clubs, said the draw is about more than fun.
“It’s being social,” Punteney said. “But also, it gets their minds thinking. A lot of them hadn’t played games before. They just need a reason to get out.”
For seniors like Shirley Henderson, that reason came at the right time. After moving to the area a few years ago, she joined to make connections.
“I just wanted to meet people because I was new to the area,” Henderson said. “Everyone’s been so friendly. I go to everything I possibly can … crafts, game day, bunko, walkers, the monthly lunch.”
Craft club, Henderson noted, has been an enjoyable experience regardless of skill level.
“I’m not crafty at all,” she said. “But everyone helps each other and the projects are simple. It’s just fun.”
Still, Wodtke says the group is hitting limits.
“With only so many volunteers and a cap on what we can afford, we can’t do everything our seniors want,” she said. “Meals are expensive, space is tight, and we’re always looking for new leaders to start or revive clubs … grief support, garden club, even a book club.”
Space has also been a struggle for BGSC. The group’s current monthly lunch, held every second Monday at Battle Ground’s Event Center, caps at 200 attendees, a fraction of its participants. The city recently opened up a covered patio area at the senior center, but the weather makes it usable only for part of the year.
“It’s going to help,” Wodtke said of the new patio. “But it is not enclosed … it will never hold as many as this event center space here.”
Finances are also a concern.
“We set out a donation bucket as you know at all of our activities,” Wodtke said. “That doesn’t offset the rental charges or the costs of the meals or anything, but it helps … like postage or to mail the newsletter … We started a sponsorship program, but it’s still a hustle.”
Despite BGSC’s set of challenges, the group continues to plan for the future. A new website is being developed to complement its existing Facebook presence. They continue to welcome ideas for new activities, pending the availability of volunteer leadership.
Those interested in volunteering or learning more can email battlegroundseniorcitizens@gmail.com. BGSC’s activities and monthly calendar can be found at facebook.com/p/Battle-Ground-Senior-Citizens-Inc-61559056648137.
Battle Ground Senior Center reopening delayed
Due to unexpected construction delays, the Battle Ground Senior Center will not reopen to BGSC members on July 1 as previously expected. The earliest projected return is now sometime in August. For the latest updates, readers can visit facebook.com/p/Battle-Ground-Senior-Citizens-Inc-61559056648137.
