History of the Central Coast Seniors Center – Founded 1990
1580 Railroad St., Oceano, 93445 (805) 481-7886
by Kristi Gott, Freelance Writer, Computer Support Volunteer
Many donations and hours of work by dedicated volunteers have taken place since 1990, when the plans for the Central Coast Senior Center began. The mission of the Central Coast Seniors Center has been to make an activity hub, event center and resource center for Five Cities seniors.
The Central Coast Senior Center was founded in 1990 at the current location. The property was donated by Harold Guiton at that time for the purpose of a Seniors Center. Volunteers from the Five Cities area built the Central Coast Seniors Center building, as you see it today. It has been well occupied by the Seniors Center.
Since 2004 manager Betty Milne and a group of many devoted volunteers have put in an incredible amount of time and energy into keeping the doors of the Central Coast Senior Center open, while operating on a very small budget. The Center is funded by fundraisers, members, and donations. Betty herself, who receives a very small token salary, volunteers day and night, all week long, putting in many hours beyond 40 hours a week in order to keep the Center going.
Betty supplies her own computer, software and internet connections, and works from home to take care of the accounting and administrative paperwork. These include scheduling, the calendar, the newsletter, accounting, taxes, insurances, maintenance coordinating, and too many tasks to list.
For almost four years Betty has run the Bingo every Friday night, staying at the Center until after 10 pm to close up after all the evening duties are done. There is no one else on the paid staff. She is assisted by an all volunteer staff of dedicated people.
Betty originally got involved with the Central Coast Seniors Center because she was enjoying playing Pinochle at the Center regularly. She was asked to fill a spot on the Board of Directors and began a dedicated volunteer career at the Center. In 2004 there was a sudden emergency need for a manager and Betty stepped in to help out at the request of the Board.
Working with limited funds and volunteers Betty Milne was able to transform the Central Coast Seniors Center into the bright, clean, attractive hub of activity and seniors’ resources that it is today.
The local seniors community is grateful Betty Milne stepped in to help out when the Center needed a manager. The incredible number of hours she has spent to help keep the doors of the Central Coast Seniors Center open, despite the limited funds, make her a hero in the eyes of local community.
