By Piya Jacob – Sedona Community Center Board of Directors Secretary
I am a very happy volunteer at The Sedona Community Center. I moved to Sedona permanently just a few years ago. When we moved here from Phoenix we knew we would like to give back to this place we now called home. Both my husband and I were educators; we were kept very busy with the demands of our job. There was very little time left over to pursue other callings. But when we moved here we began looking for ways to help build the community we had retired to.
I have found that as a volunteer at the Sedona Community Center I have made some new friends, learned a few useful skills, and most importantly, found inspiration from listening to those older than me.
A primary mission of the Sedona Community Center is to make sure that those around us, especially in the senior population, never go hungry. Our food programs are a vital service to those who live in Sedona and in the Village of Oak Creek. However, Sedona Community Center does a lot more and I hope that after reading this article you will come in or call up to see how you can become more involved in the various activities of the Center. By doing, so you will naturally become more vested in your community. And once you are vested in your community, you will constantly look for ways to improve it, to help those who call it home, and to be an ambassador for our City.
One of the most enjoyable activities at the Center is the Community Lunch which is served every weekday at noon. This is a fresh cooked, nutritious meal which is enjoyed by locals of all ages. But we don’t just have food…we sometimes have live music with our lunch. On occasion a local musician or two will come in and play for our dining pleasure. Every other month, the Village Ukulele People comes and plays at lunch. They are so well received, and it’s a full band of talented people who play a whole array of instruments. Perhaps you are a musician and are looking for an audience? Please call the Center and see if you’d like to come in and play for us. Or ask how you can become a volunteer to enhance the work of the Center.
The Center also has classes everyday that you might wish to look into. There is a wonderful water color class every Wednesday with a very skilled teacher. You do not need to be an artist to join but I’m sure you’ll leave believing in your artistic abilities which will encourage you to develop them even further. There is nothing more important than having a fine teacher who shows you how you can improve your skills.
How about looking for ways to help yourself become more fit? We have several different ways you can work towards this goal. As we age, AND live longer and longer, we are beginning to realize we all need to do more to keep ourselves physically fit. Good, nutritious food is important and finding an exercise program you can stick to is also vital. We have a good variety of exercise and fitness classes for all levels—from Qi Gong to aerobics and everything in between.
Only you can make the Community Center a thriving place in our community. It’s hard to build a community without people. So I invite you to stop in once in a while for lunch (call ahead to reserve a space), or come in and join a weekly wellness class and perhaps also consider volunteering. I assure you that you will not be disappointed once you step over our threshold. Call or drop by today at 928.282.2834 or 2615 Melody Lane.
