Q. HOW DO I BECOME “A FRIEND” OF THE PORTAGE ZHANG SENIOR CENTER?
A. “A Friend” is a person who donates money to assist the Portage Zhang Senior Center in providing opportunities for area seniors to continue to learn, maintain and enhance their physical fitness, to socialize on trips, in card games or at Center special events. So, if you donate to the “Friends”, a tax-exempt organization whose mission is to provide financial assistance to the Portage Zhang Senior Center, YOU ARE A FRIEND!
Q. HOW MUCH MONEY DO I HAVE TO DONATE?
A. There is no specific amount; some annual donations are $25 or less and others exceed $1,000. You determine what is right for you!
Q. DO FRIENDS RECEIVE ANY BENEFITS FOR THEIR DONATIONS?
A. YES, THEY DO! Of course, the main benefit is in knowing that you are supporting area seniors, enhancing their lives, and providing them countless opportunities to keep active, physically and mentally, while offering various ways in which they can socialize with others. There is also a tax benefit as your donation qualifies as a charitable deduction. So, if you itemize deductions on your income tax returns, you can deduct the amount of your donation. Donations from IRAs may also offer tax benefits. All Member Friends are recognized in the Portage Senior Center’s Quarterly Newsletter, on the websites of the Portage Zhang Senior Center and the FriendsPSC.org. If you donate more than $100 in a calendar year, as a Supporting Friend you will also be invited to an annual donor recognition event.
Q. I SEE THERE IS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE FRIENDS OF THE PSC. WHO IS ON THE BOARD AND WHAT DO THEY DO?
A. The members of the Friends Board of Directors are noted on their website. Currently, there are nine members—some are also PZSC members, and others are not. Some are retired—others are not. All are dedicated to raising funds to assist the Portage Zhang Senior Center. The Friends mission is to raise more money from more people so that the PZSC continues to grow and flourish as a “Center” for seniors in the greater Portage area.
Q. IS THERE AN APPLICATION PROCESS FOR BECOMING A FRIENDS BOARD MEMBER?
A. YES. Again, the Friends website has a copy of the Application. You can download it from the website or ask at the PZSC Reception desk for a copy of the Application. Most applicants then seek to sit in on a Board meeting, to meet the members and learn more about what the Friends do and how they do it. If you then decide to submit an application, the Board will review it and contact you regarding the present needs for new members. The Board seeks members who will attend the meetings, contact potential donors and sponsors, and provide input and assistance regarding the various fundraising activities it pursues—Golf Outing, Purse Sale, Special PZSC events and activities.
Q. WOW! I DIDN’T KNOW THE FRIENDS DID SO MUCH. IF I BECOME A FRIEND BY MAKING A DONATION TO THE FRIENDS, BUT DON’T WANT TO BE A BOARD MEMBER, COULD I STILL PARTICIPATE IN FRIENDS ACTIVITIES?
A. Of course! You know that the PZSC has several hundred volunteers. Many of them volunteer on Friends Activities. You can volunteer at the Friends Golf outing or the Purse Sale, as well as help plan and participate in other events. Just let Greta Jenkins, PZSC’s Volunteer Coordinator, know that you want to be a volunteer at a Friends event.
No matter how you would like to get involved with the Friends of the Portage Zhang Senior Center, we are always looking for assistance in a wide variety of areas. Your talents may be just what we need!!