STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

The Senior Connection is asking Wood River Valley residents to Connect for a Cause on Saturday, May 30.

The nonprofit organization is holding a gala dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at The Sage School Barn in Hailey’s Quigley Canyon to raise money for the Senior Connection’s programs and services.

The annual fundraiser was moved up this year from last year’s Sock Hop held in mid-summer to take advantage of a time when residents are returning to the valley for the summer season and eager to connect with friends they may have not seen for months, said Jovita Pina, the organization’s executive director.

“It’s spring. Everything’s fresh. It’s a good time of the year to connect,” she said. “And this year we decided to have a dinner because nutrition is one of our most important essential services.”

The Senior Connection’s Chef Sky will create a memorable meal featuring beef, chicken and vegetarian options. There’ll be a few presentations and a paddle-up. And there will be a chance to mix and mingle.

The masterminds behind the evening are Penny Weiss, whose The Event has been known for creating gorgeous backdrops to an array of events. Joining her as co-chair is Terri Bullock, who was behind the Wild West Casino Night fundraisers that supported The Senior Connection and Rotarun Ski Area.

Pina said The Senior Connection needs to raise funds for essential services all year, but its annual fundraiser is especially important to ensure that it can carry on its Meals on Wheels, in-house dining, caregiving, health and wellness checks and field trips ranging from an overnight trip to Stanley to Craters and the Moon.

“We just took 18 to Jackpot—people who no longer drive or don’t want to drive that far. We took them to lunch and gave them a couple hours of gambling and they had a blast,” said Pina. “This summer we’ll take them to Pops Night at the Sun Valley Music Festival and on nature walks—they just enjoy all the activities we can provide.”

The Senior Connection served a thousand unique people last year, she said. That included those in its Dementia Caregiver Support Group, weekly Music Jams and Tech Class and those utilizing Senior Connection vans to doctor’s and other appointments.

Connect for a Cause tickets are available at https://seniorconnectionidaho.org/connect-for-a-cause.

Can’t make the dinner but want to donate? Go to https://seniorconnectionidaho.org/ways-to-give.