Mary Templer, a four-year member of the Florence Riford Adult Center for seniors, has experienced heart problems in the past.
But at her last doctor’s appointment, her treadmill test results showed that she was on the same cardiovascular level as a 25-year-old. She attributes her success to aerobics and other exercise classes at the center. That’s why she hopes the facility can overcome a recent financial struggle and continue providing services for its 460 members, she said.
“It can make you feel much younger, much more energetic and much more involved,” Templer said. “It gives you so many things to think about, and it’s stimulating your mind and exercising your body and being actively involved in the community.”
In March the center learned that LiveWell San Diego, a nonprofit agency that has been running the facility, would be severing ties with the Riford Center at the end of June. Since then, staff members have been working to match the $75,000 annual city funding “” which originates from the Florence Riford endowment ” a trust that has been steadily depleted. The additional money will be crucial to running the facility independent of LiveWell.
The Riford Adult Center was founded as a private club in 1972 by Florence Riford and became an open venue for seniors in 1989, providing health, foreign language, art and exercise classes, free transportation, entertainment, a large-print book library, free legal counsel and tax preparation and other social games and activities for people ages 50 and above.
With the help of Friends of the Riford Center, an open house fund-raiser that generated $20,000, an $8,000 donation from children at The Evans School and a generous pledge of support from the Kiwanis Club, the senior service center has cut its deficit down to $15,000, according to Lynda Hunt, the center’s executive director.
Although LiveWell has agreed to continue on a month-to-month support agreement with the center until it can prove its stability with the city and be officially taken over by Friends of the Riford Center, Hunt said she hopes the community can pull together to help the center raise the money so it can become independent before the end of June.
“What we are not wanting are any more reductions, because we’ve already had enough,” Hunt said, adding that the center has lost half of its staff due to funding. “At this time, the need is great because this is the only full-service senior center in La Jolla and Pacific Beach.”
The center was forced to reduce the hours of its free transportation as well as its hours and the number of days of operation, Hunt said. When Friends of the Riford Center take control of the facility, the group plans to restore the staff and hours as long as the proper funding is available, she said.
Templer, who also volunteers at the center four times a week teaching aerobics,has seen just how much of a difference the center’s programs can make.
Her next-door neighbor, a 93-year-old La Jolla resident, takes advantage of the transportation service and has become good friends with the full-time driver “” he even helps the nonagenarian unload her groceries after taking her to and from the store, Templer said.
Another 85-year-old member who had a triple heart bypass operation continues to regularly attend the center’s exercise classes. As a result, the woman looks 15 years younger and is in excellent shape considering her past medical problems, Templer said.
“I’ve seen senior citizens come there when they were having a hard time walking, and they have improved dramatically in strength, balance and flexibility,” Templer said.
But the center provides more than just a way to look and feel younger ” it also gives people peace of mind, she said.
One member whose husband passed away told Templer the only thing that kept her going and on her feet was the Riford Center, she said.
It is the success stories of members that allow Hunt to remain positive and vigilant in her quest to preserve the center, she said, adding that she is so confident the facility will stay afloat that she has not even ventured out to look for another job.
Not only does she believe the center will stay up and running, she also hopes to add more services such as bingo games for seniors both during the day and at night, she said.
Her main goal is to keep the center going at full speed and to let the community know that, in order to make her goal a reality, their help is needed. As long as volunteers and generous residents exist, the center will be able to continue helping people live more productive lives, she said.
“Isolation is our biggest fear, because seniors begin to withdraw and become depressed and ill and that’s when tragedy occurs,” Hunt said. “As long as they can remain vital and interested, they stay healthier.”
In order to raise more funds, a Progressive Bridge Tournament will be held Wednesday, July 11, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Participants will first enjoy a buffet lunch, then play bridge from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Cost is $10, which includes lunch. Cash prizes will be awarded, and opportunity drawing tickets will be sold. To reserve a seat, with or without a partner, call (858) 459-0831.
The Florence Riford Adult Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd., is always looking for volunteers. Call the number above or visit www.rifordcenter.com for more information.