Editorial

In Newport Beach and Costa Mesa, rarely a day goes by when residents

aren’t asked to give money to support charitable causes. Because quality

of life is so important here, countless groups are always working at

improving it for all segments of the community -- from the performing

arts to the library to the local soup kitchen.

People here do donate -- and generously -- to all of those causes.

So when another one comes along, it’s easy to say, “We just don’t have

any more to give.”

That is what the Costa Mesa Senior Center faces as it kicks off its

annual fund-raising campaign this week. The center, a public-private

partnership with the city of Costa Mesa, needs to raise $150,000 more

than it had to last year to support its $750,000 annual budget. Most

other senior centers in the county, including OASIS Senior Center in

Newport Beach, are funded entirely by their respective municipalities.

Starting next week, 58,000 area residents will open their mailboxes to

find a letter asking for support.

Although we recognize the large number of charitable groups out there

and know that each one is worthwhile and should be supported, here are

three good reasons why everyone should contribute something to the Costa

Mesa Senior Center this year:

1. The center gets more than 100,000 visits from 23,000 seniors from

13 different cities each year. They are your friends, your parents, your

grandparents. And -- anywhere from 10 to 40 years from now -- you will be

included in those statistics. And you won’t be alone. America’s

population is aging. The number of people the center serves now with hot

lunches each day, with transportation programs and social and

recreational activities will more than double by 2030. Consider your gift

an investment in your own future.

2. The facility is embarking on an ambitious mission to create a

comprehensive wellness center, estimated to cost between $10 and $12

million. The idea is to give senior citizens in the community an

alternative to living in a skilled nursing home, said Director Alan

Myers.

With the center, seniors could remain independent but still receive

services they need -- including a gym, grief and loneliness counseling,

medical services and physical therapy -- free of charge and at their

neighborhood senior center. It is smart, innovative and exactly the kind

of forward-thinking problem-solving that we all hope for in society.

The first of its kind in the entire state, the wellness center would

significantly reduce medical care costs and is expected to decrease

hospitalization of the elderly by more than 70%, which would only be good

for our aging population.

“The elderly don’t want to be in skilled nursing homes,” Myers said.

“Once you place them there they are counting their days.”

3. Every little bit helps. That may seem a cliche, but consider this:

The center needs $250,000. If every person who gets the letter next week

gave only $5 -- the cost of one day’s fast-food lunch -- the goal would

be reached. If everyone gave $10 -- a movie and a tub of popcorn -- the

center would meet its goal and get an extra $330,000 to put toward the

wellness center. You get the idea.

And if that’s not enough to sway you, spearheading this year’s drive

is County Treasurer and Costa Mesa resident John Moorlach. The money you

give couldn’t be in better hands. (You’ll remember he’s the one who saved

Orange County from financial ruin when the government went bankrupt a few

years ago.)

“If you’re not charitably inclined, here’s a place to start building

your charitable portfolio,” Moorlach said. “If giving is part of your

focus, you have more ownership in your community and you’re investing in

organizations doing things you cannot do yourself.”

Donations can be sent to the Costa Mesa Senior Center, 695 W. 19th

St., Costa Mesa, CA 92627.