Letter to the editor: Support for Friends of Westborough Senior Center, Inc.

To the Editor,

I have lived in Westborough since 1987.?? Over the years I have volunteered with the Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Westborough Fine Arts Association, Westborough Woman's Club and various PTO's to name a few.

I am also a Board Member of the Friends of the Westborough Senior Center, Inc., a self-governing non-profit organized to raise money for projects benefiting senior citizens in our community.? Over the years we have supported many projects at the Westborough Senior Center, worked with the Outreach Coordinator at the Center, worked with St. Luke's Outreach to support seniors, donated to the Westborough Food Pantry which many seniors use, paid for the monthly “Donuts with Dave” social, paid for the birthday seniors who attend the birthday lunches, and other diverse projects.

The “Friends” were formed in February 1987.? The purpose of the organization then as it is today is to render a program of service to senior citizens in Westborough; to ensure their dignity, and to provide items not covered by the town and state.? The organization is self-governed, but will work with the senior citizens, the Council on Aging and Senior Center.? Money raised over the years has always been raised in the name of the Friends of the Westborough Senior Center, Inc.? Fundraising projects are not done in the name of the Westborough Senior Center or COA.? Any requests for funding items for the Westborough Senior Center or individual senior citizens comes to the Friends board of directors for a vote.

When I spoke at the June COA meeting I was under the impression that the Friends would report back at their August meeting.? They normally do not meet in July.? As of the press releases on July 22nd, the Friends still had not received a letter informing us of their vote or decision. That letter from the COA chairman was mailed on July 24th.

It is a shame that so much time and energy is being wasted on a matter that could have been resolved with time.? We will continue to support the senior citizens in Westborough.

Judith Wilchynski

Westborough