214@100: 10,000 seniors now in Gold Card Club

It started with a letter from a senior citizen to the Daily Herald, written in the mid-1960s in response to High School District 214's request for a tax hike from property owners. In it, the writer noted his taxes were continuing to go up without any obvious value added for him.

Rather than simply responding with an explanation about the connection between good schools and strong communities and increasing home values, then-District 214 administrator Jack Martin suggested a practical solution: that District 214 residents age 55 and older get free admission to the schools' athletic events, concerts, plays, musicals and Community Education programs.

The Board of Education signed on, paving the way for the creation of the "Gold Card Club." The response was immediate and overwhelming, to the extent that the vast benefits had to be somewhat altered. The idea, though, remained.

Today, the Gold Card Club is still going strong, offering residents 62 and older discounted Community Education courses and travel, and they are notified of school events - from athletics to musical and dramatic performances - they can attend free.

More than 10,000 local residents are now Gold Card members, enjoying entertaining and innovative programming and athletic contests, all while forging positive relationships across generations.