Paradise Center hosts members for season’s send-off party

While the Paradise Center welcomes members and nonmembers alike to its classes, learning opportunities and programs, the party the center hosted on May 4 was for members only.

It was a way to say a special thank-you to the center’s members for their ongoing support and to say farewell to some of the nonprofit organization's snowbirds. Roughly 30 members turned up for the celebration, which was held at the Paradise Center.

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“It’s a member perk,” said Executive Director Suzy Brenner. “It’s a nice way to thank them when it’s not so busy.”

It was also a chance for members to mix outside their regular class schedule.

“Some people come to every Tai-Chi class (for example), but they don’t come to anything else,” said Brenner.

The extra opportunity to gather and share in the community is another inducement to join the Paradise Center, said Brenner. 

Although people can pay per class, those who join as members are more likely to attend more activities. And that’s part of The Paradise Center’s mission — to get people out of isolation and being more social to prevent loneliness. Encouraging people to try more programs is an overall goal. 

“We had our busiest winter season yet. Attendance is almost 4,000 people year to date,” Brenner shared. 

She added that while some members will be departing Longboat Key for the summer, more are staying year-round.

Courtesy photo

“We do seem to have more people who this is their only residence. We definitely have people who are here all summer long. It’s a mixture,” said Brenner. “We have activities all year-round where a lot of groups stop for the summer.”

The theme of this year’s party was “festive hats” to coincide with the Kentucky Derby. In the hat contest, Marilyn Kidd won the prize for best hat; her wide-brimmed topper was adorned with fresh red roses.

“It’s very low-key and we focus on having fun,” Brenner said. “The party gave us an opportunity for our members to meet our Board of Directors, to thank those who have provided us financial support, and also just to have fun and socialize.”

For more information about the center and its ongoing activities (including its schedule through the summer) visit TheParadiseCenter.org.