Peninsula Shepherd Center, a nonprofit serving seniors in Point Loma, Ocean Beach, and Midway, is holding its annual summer fundraiser on Friday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in All Souls’ Episcopal Church’s Gooden Hall, 1475 Catalina Blvd.

Proceeds from Peninsula Shepherd Center’s annual “Summer Celebration Day” go toward enhancing programs and services for adults age 65 and older. This year’s event will include a luncheon, entertainment, door prizes, an opportunity drawing, and a silent auction.

“This is our primary fundraiser to support all our programs and services,” said Lisa Nokes, executive director of Peninsula Shepherd Center, one of 28 senior centers countywide. “What we’re all trying to do is work together and collaborate to make the senior center more relevant for older adults.”

Nokes pointed out San Diego’s senior demographic is changing. In 2032, there will be more people over age 65 than under age18. Human longevity too has increased from an average age of 55 to well into the 80s.

“Our longevity has increased from 55 to 85,” Nokes said adding, “We call that the longevity dividend. That means almost a third of our lives are now spent close to, or after, retirement. And the question is, what do you want to do with that time?”

What Peninsula Shepherd Center is doing with the longevity dividend is finding ways for people to fill it with meaningful time spent. “So what senior centers are offering is different services like language or cooking classes, walking or exercise opportunities,” noted Nokes.

Pointing out that San Diego “needs 50 senior centers” despite only having 28, Nokes said that gap is being addressed by Peninsula Shepherd Center through “expanding services including transportation” to keep seniors active, independent, and in their homes as long as possible.

Peninsula Shepherd Center is now offering seniors lunches and monthly excursions to popular places like the Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park, Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, Cabrillo National Monument in Point Loma, and Arts District Liberty Station.

Nokes said Peninsula Shepherd Center is participating in a new senior pilot program called the Wellness Navigator, which provides seniors with healthcare, legal assistance, and other social services. “This is free to all members of senior communities to help them network and find services in their own area,” said Nokes.

For this year’s summer celebration, Nokes added, “Two generous anonymous donors have offered to match up to $2,000 in donations. This is a great way to support us and help us raise money for programs and services.”

Summer celebration tickets are $25 each or $22 each for a table of up to six guests and are available by contacting Peninsula Shepherd Center’s office at 619-223-1640 or at sdpsc.org.

SUMMER CELEBRATION

· First summer celebration since 2019 due to the pandemic.

· PSC’s primary fundraiser to support programs and services.

· PSC is a 501 (3)(c) nonprofit whose mission is to keep seniors active, independent, and in their homes as long as possible.

· Senior centers in the future will need to be able to support the programs, services, and activities to help older adults thrive.

· New this year is the summer celebration challenge.

· Two donors have pledged to match $2,000 in donations to benefit PSC programs and services.

· Today senior centers are undergoing a significant transition given the shift in population to adults 65 and older.

· One in three seniors over age 65 live alone in San Diego County, roughly 167,000 people.

· Older adults were one of the groups hit the hardest during the pandemic.