LANGLEY, Wash. - At the Senior Center in Langley, Jim Ramler, 80, loves to dance on Fridays.
"I've been coming here for 8 years," Ramler says. "I'm getting pretty good at it."
The Center in Langley is one of four on Whidbey Island that senior citizens use every day. They offer Meals, special events and programs to help them stay connected to the community. It's a gathering spot.
But cash strapped Island County is threatening to cut 40 percent of its donations to Senior Services. The budget cuts come as no surprise, but it could have a big impact on services for Whidbey Island seniors.
"It's a trickle down affect," says Cheryn Weiser, Executive Director of Senior Services. "We won't be cutting everything completely, but we'll notice a difference in a lot of areas."
Senior Services of Island County will also lose a portion of its state funding.
But where there is a need, many are willing to help. One area of service that could be affected is disaster preparedness for seniors. That's where Ed Jenkins comes in.
Jenkins is a volunteer on Whidbey Island. He organized a seminar to teach seniors how to be prepared during a rough La Nina winter. Using his own flashlights, survival kits and 'ready to eat' meals Jenkins is giving demonstrations to the seniors. If a senior decided to buy an item from a local store, that business will donate a portion of the money back to the senior center.
"It hurt to hear that these folks could lose services," Jenkins says. "I am just trying to fill the void caused by budget cuts."
Weiser says she hopes to see more people like Jenkins step up to donate.
"This is about the community giving to the community," she says. "We are all in this together."
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