Palatine Twp. seniors to honor longtime volunteer
Mary Tarbit is this year’s Guest of Honor at the Palatine Township Senior Center’s 13th annual Caring Hearts Gala on Feb. 16. Mary is being honored for her selfless service to the Senior Center and for the spirit that keeps her going strong at 90 years of age.
In 1989 Mary’s husband passed away and she found herself facing the possibility of immobilization. She had never learned to drive because her husband took her where she needed to go or she took public transportation.
“It was hard and I was afraid,” she said, but she was more afraid of being isolated. She got her license while she was in her late 60s and started working at the Senior Center as the Community Nutrition Network Food Service Aide in the early 1990s where she assembled Meals on Wheels for the homebound.
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” Tarbit says about the Senior Center.
Twenty years later, she is still driving for the Home Delivered Meals Program and runs the Poker Group. She gives of her time, her resources and even delivers meals to the homebound on her birthday. She says that activity is the key to her happiness and we can all learn from her example. You can support Mary and the Palatine Township Senior Center by attending the gala, 6-11:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at Cotillion Banquets, 360 Creekside Drive, Palatine. The evening will have all the fun and excitement, glitz and glamour of Las Vegas with none of the gambling. Come see the Las Vegas Revue with magician, lip sync acts and lots of laughs, plus celebrate the center’s 40th anniversary.
Featured entertainment will be the swing band Bopology. This black tie optional event includes open bar, dinner, dancing, live and silent auction items and raffles. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25 and the cash prizes are $50, $150 and $500. Auction items include sports memorabilia, vacations and much more.
The honorary chairman this year is Jack Lloyd, BMO Harris Bank, Market President.
For an invitation, raffle ticket or printable flyer visit www.ptscc.org. For information contact Julie Selof at (847) 991-1112 or jselof@ptscc.org.
PTSCC provides programs and services which support older adults and their families by encouraging independence, well-being and connection to the community.