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Senior Services

Senior Millage Services

Senior Services

Senior Citizen Millage

A number of resources and services are available to the aged and aging population of Mason County to help them age well as their needs evolve over time, some of which are funded in whole or in part by the Mason County senior citizen millage that voters first approved August 15, 1988, and then continued to support. The current levy is not to exceed the maximum assessment of .2979 of a mill, and the funds generated are used to operate senior citizen centers and programs. The six-year millage was overwhelmingly approved by 76 percent of the voters in 2018. That millage expired in 2023. The Mason County Board of Commissioners voted to place a renewal proposal on the August 6, 2024 primary election ballot to approve another six years at the same maximum assessment of .2979 of a mill. 

Senior Centers

The four senior centers in Mason County are historically the primary recipients of senior-millage monies. Three of them were established long before the millage was enacted, and as such they, along with the fourth, founded in May 1988, are each owned and operated by different governing bodies. They are the result of grassroots efforts led by community-minded individuals who had the foresight to realize that social centers specifically tailored for educating, engaging, and enriching citizens of advancing age are valuable community assets that stave off isolation, depression, cognitive decline, nutrition shortfalls, and compromised mobility.

All the centers foster community spirit and embody a rich evolutionary history: they each originated to meet the needs of the differing demographic populations found in diverse geographic locations. In other words, one size does not fit all, and Mason County is unique in its commitment to respect and respond to the needs and interests of all of its older citizens, whether they reside in its robust and populous county seat or along the shoreline; within its central agricultural belt or the bustling hub it encircles; clustered in stalwart and neighborly villages at its perimeters; or here and there scattered throughout the rustic landscape of its outlying rural and wooded areas.

The senior centers are welcoming community gathering spaces for persons 50 years of age and older. There are no county residential requirements for admittance as long as, if space is limited, all seniors who do reside in Mason County who wish to attend an event or participate in an activity can be accommodated. Mason County seniors, no matter their address or residential geographic proximity to a particular center’s location, enjoy access to all events and activities hosted by any of the four area centers:

Oversight of Senior-Millage Expenditures

Each senior center submits an annual request for funding to the Finance, Personnel, and Rules Committee (FPRC) of the Mason County Board of Commissioners. After the FPRC reviews the requests in open discussion with the directors, a recommendation is made for approval by the full board. Each center subsequently provides quarterly financial and program reports to the FPRC.

Mason County Senior Services

Contact Susan Evans at (231) 316-6523 or sevans@masoncountymi.gov for more information about becoming a volunteer or enrolling in these programs, or to ask general questions about finding resources for older adults:

Friendly Caller Program
Looking for a way to connect with others? The Friendly Caller Program provides a daily or occasional phone call from a volunteer to an older adult age 60+. One benefit of this program is to reduce social isolation by providing telephone companionship. It can also provide peace of mind when family or friends don’t live nearby. After the phone call, volunteers report back to Senior Services whether the senior needs additional assistance finding resources.
WHO: Volunteers age 18+ are matched with an older adult client who is interested in receiving calls. Volunteers must complete the application process including a background check and training.
WHAT: Friendly callers engage in a telephone conversation with the older adult.
WHEN: Friendly calls are placed based on client preference. Some prefer a daily check-in call, some prefer to be called once each week, and some prefer calls less frequently.

Errands Program
Need someone to pick up food or prescriptions for you? The Errands Program provides a volunteer to pick up and deliver food/groceries or medication to older adult clients age 60+ within Mason County. This includes all food pantries, the food club, FiveCAP, all pharmacies, and all retail stores. Requests are processed in the order they are received and are filled based on availability of volunteers. Payment method must be on file; no money can be exchanged between clients and volunteers.
WHO: Volunteers age 21+ are matched with an older adult client who needs food/groceries or medication pickup and delivery. Volunteers must complete the application process including a background check and training.
WHAT: Volunteers pick up the items and deliver to the client’s residence.
WHEN: Requests are processed in the order they are received and are filled based on availability of volunteers.  

Community Speaker
Does your non-profit group need a speaker on a topic related to aging such as Scams and Fraud Prevention, or Living Independently Longer? Customized presentations are also available.  

Click >HERE< for resources for seniors.

Last Updated 4/13/26