The community is invited to a weekend of celebrations early next year recognizing the 40th anniversary of the storied Richmond Senior Annex building.
The celebrations will run from Jan. 8-10 at the center at 5801 Huntington Ave., which operates fulltime offering various programs daily for seniors and the community.
While the Richmond Senior Annex has been operating since 1980, the building’s history dates back to 1937, when it was constructed as a firehouse for the Richmond Annex, serving in that capacity until its closing in 1976. The following year, the city budgeted funds to convert the firehouse into a senior facility. Work on the facility began in 1979 and on Jan. 7, 1980, doors opened.
Seniors and members of the Neighborhood Council worked as volunteers to operate the center initially, performing maintenance, running many of the programs and holding fundraisers to help defray the operating cost.
The center offered recreational and human services, arts and crafts, exercise classes, excursions, speakers and many other programs.
Eventually staffing was provided and these programs continued to flourish. From 1982 to 2004, city staff was laid off due to budget constraints, and seniors and volunteers ran the center until the city re-established both funding and staffing.
The center has served as a meeting place for the Annex community, a polling place for elections and held various community events. Today, it continues to expand services for seniors and the community.
To ensure the center’s success, a check donation made payable to Richmond Annex Senior Center can be dropped off in person at the Senior Center Front Desk or mailed to its address at 5801 Huntington Ave., Richmond, CA 94804.
If you would like more information on our schedule please call (510) 620-6812 or email us at [email protected]
