Happy birthday, Riverdale Senior Services!

When a child turns 10, the family usually makes a big deal of it and invites friends and relatives to celebrate. When that same child turns 40, he or she just might want to keep it on the lowdown. 

But what about a vital community organization? Riverdale Senior Services (RSS) is quietly turning 40, but it deserves a rousing happy birthday from all of us. 

The center has come a long way since its beginnings at Riverdale Neighborhood House (RNH) serving 20 or 30 people who gathered there once a week.

It now provides services for more than 3,000 elderly Riverdalians five days a week. 

An editorial in The Press on the occasion of that 10th birthday back in 1984 said, “The center’s story sums up Riverdale in a nutshell: it is the product of volunteers’ hard work and the willingness of local agencies to cooperate with one another for the entire community’s benefit.” 

That’s as true today as it was back then.

In 1974, a friend of RNH board member Julia Blumenthal complained to her that her mother had nowhere to socialize. She felt isolated in her own apartment.

Ms. Blumenthal challenged her fellow RNH board members to take up the cause of seniors, and, as so often happens, she was rewarded for her suggestion by being named to head a committee. Soon, she and her friend were going door-to-door, inviting seniors to come to meetings.

June Eisland, who later became a City Councilwoman, suggested the group apply for federal funding and three community organizations joined to offer the needed sponsorship. The Riverdale Y, RNH and Riverdale Mental Health never even considered petty self-interest as they came to the aid of a fledgling RSS.

With a large percentage of the center’s programs paid for with government funds, RSS is dependent on its elected officials. They have never let it down.

Over the years, volunteers have sustained the center, whether they are seniors sharing their knowledge and talents with art or humanities classes, medical professionals or long-serving board members.

Today the center offers a lot more than a hot lunch, as popular as its meals remain. 

A quick perusal of its website, www.riverdalesenior.org, shows offerings of yoga, t’ai chi, dancing, bridge, chess, writing and art classes, transportation to vital appointments, exhibits and bazaars, support groups for caregivers and much more. 

To quote that long-ago editorial, “As long as there are caring Riverdalians, RSS will be a success story.” May it live to be one hundred and forty.