Mission & History
Summit Seniors’ Mission
To provide opportunities for enhancing the quality of life for resident and visiting seniors (those over 50) in Summit County through recreation, intellectual stimulation, physical activity, volunteering and philanthropic endeavors utilizing the Senior Center and community resources.
Activities and Membership
Since its founding, Summit Seniors has provided a range of activities and events to accommodate the different interests of its members. During a calendar year, there are at least three dozen different activities benefitting people of all fitness levels, whether they’re seeking a relaxing social gathering or a high-intensity ski trip. Summit Seniors also offers enriching opportunities for lifelong learning and volunteering for those interested in giving back to the community. Today, the organization has more than 2,000 members.
Relationship with Summit County
The organization has a close working relationship with Summit County to support staffing and community resource needs. The Summit County Community and Senior Center in Frisco, where most Summit Senior activities take place today, was built using a combination of non-profit and county funding.
Summit County also provides staffing for the senior center and works with Summit Seniors to help older adults in the region connect with resources for legal, health and meal support.
History of Summit Seniors
In 1977, a group of 17 seniors in Summit County came together with a shared vision an organization that could support senior wellness through fitness and fellowship. Summit Seniors was formed in 1984 when the group had less than 300 members.
Over the years, the group expanded, first filling the old Frisco Town Hall (now the Visitor’s Center), and later the Frisco Community Center at Third and Granite. Summit Seniors earned non-profit status in 1990 and in less than a decade, received the adequate funding and land donation to begin construction on what is now the Summit County Community and Senior Center, which has since become a hub for seniors living in and visiting the area.
Timeline
1977 – A group of seventeen Summit Seniors founded Summit Seniors to provide activities and fellowship for the county’s seniors. At the time, there were fewer than 300 senior members.
1980 – First Annual Winter Games. Establishment of Summit County Senior Service Program through the Department of Health & Human Services.
1983 – Summit Seniors started regular monthly meetings at the Town Hall. Fun fact: A motion was made to buy a gavel for the president to use and it is still in use today.
1989 – Move to Frisco Community Center: Third and Granite.
1990 – Summit Seniors received non-profit status (applied in 1989 and not yet received in Sept. 1990).
1993 – Channel 6 televised the 13th Annual Winter Senior Games. There were 183 participants. They had to have two seatings for the Winter Games Dinner.
1995 – The 15th Annual Winter Games featured 169 participants. The oldest participant was 91 and he didn’t start racing until the age of 78.
1996 – The Hug-A-Bear program was launched.
1998 – Opening of Community & Senior Center in Frisco
2004 – A large donation was made to Summit Seniors for $110,000 from Dorn Long with one stipulation that there would be an annual bridge tournament free for all who attended until $10,000 ran out.
2009 – Summit Seniors obtained grant and donation monies to keep Meals on Wheels going. Pat Hutson and Peg Bartko retired from the Winter Games coordination.
2014 – Dorn Long’s bridge money ran out.
2017 – Summit Seniors created its own, stand-alone website, listing 53 sponsored groups with over 2,000 members.
2018 – A donation from Harriett Bobo’s estate was made for $140,000 to Summit Seniors. This is the largest donation to date.
