The start of something wonderful happened 75 years ago — a group of clergy members and social workers recognized a simple but important need: older adults deserved opportunities to stay active, social, and engaged. From that vision, The Dale Association was born.
Founded in 1951 as the Golden Age Club, The Dale Association has grown and evolved alongside the needs of our community. In 1965, the organization was incorporated as Lockport Senior Citizens Centre and in 1995, it proudly adopted the name The Dale Association in honor of our first paid executive director, Elizabeth “Bette” Dale. Since 1974, The Dale Association has also provided Adult Mental Health services, expanding our mission to serve even more members of the community.
Today, The Dale Association is a comprehensive human service organization with specialized programs and services for adults of all ages. Each day our building comes alive with exercise classes, games, lunches, education programs, volunteer opportunities, trips, Musical Memory Café, support groups, and countless moments of laughter and friendship. What you may not see is that we also provide vital services including Memory Minders Dementia Care, Senior Advisor Services, the CARE Telephone Reassurance Program, transportation, caregiver support, programs for individuals with vision and hearing loss, information and referrals, and so much more. Each service has the ultimate goal of enhancing quality of life.
None of this would have been possible without the incredible people who have supported The Dale Association throughout the years — our members, our volunteers, staff, board members, community partners, donors, and friends. We did not get here alone; you are the heartbeat of our mission. Thank you for being a part of us and for your trust.
I want to highlight a few of the special events we have planned. Celebrating 75 years is a big deal – and I hope you will join us at one or more of the activities below. All are welcome. (Please RSVP so we know you are coming)
Something special is happening each day from Monday until Aug. 15 :
• Monday – Memory Lane Monday with a 75-year timeline on display, a 75-year banner to sign and a candy store open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with nostalgic and tasty treats.
• Tuesday – Trivia Tuesday with Jeopardy-style trivia at noon.
• Wednesday – Wacky Wednesday. Come dressed in your favorite decade: 1950s, ‘60s, ‘70s or ‘80s. A free lunch at 11:30 a.m. with live entertainment and caricatures by Alex at 10:30 a.m. There will also be a puzzle competition at noon.
• Thursday – Thoughtful YOU Thursday. Treat yourself to a massage with licensed therapist MaryJo, who will be on hand to offer 20-minute sessions for $20. Appointments are limited. Call 716-433-1886 to make an appointment. There will also be a nutrition presentation and healthy cooking demonstration.
• Friday – Fun Friday. A virtual trip to Crystal Beach – share your memories with historian and amusement park enthusiast Rose Hirsh at noon. An ice cream social and sing-along at 1 p.m.
• Saturday – Open house. Come explore all The Dale Association has to offer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and see why we’ve been serving our community for 75 years.
On Sept. 1, the Diamond Anniversary Dinner will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Join us for an evening of celebration featuring a delicious catered dinner by Donna Eick. Celebrate our milestone and connect with our Board of Trustees who are sponsoring this event. Event includes a basket raffle.
As The Dale Association celebrates three-quarters of a century, we aren’t just looking back at what we’ve accomplished; we’re looking ahead to the future. We are honored to serve the community and look forward to continuing to make a tangible difference for the next 75 years and beyond. For more information, please call 716-433-1886 or stop in at 33 Ontario St., Lockport.