Three years ago, the Chula Vista Senior Citizens Club almost reached its end.
The club wasn’t generating enough money to sustain itself while club membership was at an all-time low.
That was until senior Shirley Dorscher stepped in as club president nearly two years ago and turned the club around.
In the two years since she’s taken over, Dorscher has managed to boost membership from 10 to 300 active members today.
Not only has she been able to increase club membership, Dorscher continues to raise the money needed to keep the club afloat.
Dorscher said her goal when she took over as club president was to simply keep the club going.
She said some seniors at the Norman Park Senior Center often feel lonely and that the senior club often fills that void.
“The purpose of the club is to bring seniors together,” she said. “To give them a better side of life and to keep them active. It gives them motivation and an opportunity to socialize with each other.”
Dorscher who declined to give her age but described herself as a “real senior,” said she has developed countless friendships and bonds because of the club.
The club meets at 1 p.m. at the Norman Park Senior Center on the second Tuesday of each month. At the meetings, club members discuss past and future events and any issues pertaining to seniors.
The senior club throws many events for seniors including their signature dances that occur with a different theme each month. In August, they will host a sock hop, a 1950’s dance for their An Evening in Paris event.
Dorscher said the dances are so popular that seniors all the way from North County make their way to the Norman Park Senior Center to participate in the dances.
“When we have things for the citizens club going on, it brings people into the (Norman Park) senior center,” she said. “People from all over the place come here because they know we have fun.”
Other activities that the club has include a fashion show, a swap meet, bingo, yoga and exercise classes and other activities.
The club even goes on field trips. They have a planned trip to Laughlin, Nevada in a few weeks and in the fall, they will spend three days in Big Bear.
Seniors 55 years old and older who are interested in joining the club must inquire at the front desk at the Norman Park Senior Center or call the center at (619)409-1930.
