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Galt Commission on Aging reports growing programs, transportation and turnout challenges
Summary
The commission reported steady program growth — including bingo, exercise classes and new walking groups — while noting transportation costs and low turnout limit participation; commissioners also outlined an outreach plan and upcoming disaster fair.
Joan Wilburn, chair of the Galt Commission on Aging, presented the commission’s annual report for fiscal year 2024–25 at the City Council meeting on Sept. 2.
Wilburn told the council the commission continued established programs and launched new ones despite a slow start following a delayed commission seating earlier in the year. She said the commission made two trips to Red Hawk casino but could not schedule additional casino outings because the casinos stopped offering free buses and private bus rentals run roughly $300–$500 per trip.
The commission co‑sponsored a resource fair with the Galt Chamber of Commerce that included about 30 vendors and seven workshop presenters, Wilburn said, and she reported average bingo attendance has risen to about 87 people each Monday at Chabolla Hall. For safety reasons, Wilburn said the commission has stopped accepting donated food prizes except for items from the food pantry, and the commission is implementing more detailed bookkeeping to track program costs and prize expenditures.
Other programs described included a senior chair exercise class (the commission provided $1,000 for additional chairs), a new “walk in the park” series that grew from four to 11 participants in its second week, and a pilot to sponsor weekly garage‑sale booths at the Galt Flea Market for seniors who are downsizing. Wilburn also described an outreach program called “Talk with a Commissioner,” in which commissioners offer confidential, one‑on‑one consultations to connect seniors with community resources, noting some residents face housing instability and fear retaliation when filing complaints.
Wilburn said about 15% of Galt’s population are seniors and that the commission is planning a disaster fair to be coordinated with an upcoming Saturday market. The council thanked the commission for its work and had no questions.
Wilburn filed the written annual report with the council as part of the meeting packet.
