Mason County Senior Activities Association
The Mason County Senior Activities Association oversees the Mason County Senior Activities Center and its two major funding sources, The Nifty Thrifty Store and the Pavilion.
MCSAA was founded in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Donations are usually tax deductible. The organization's articles of incorporation and by-laws are available at The Center.
Mason County Senior Activities Center
Our facility is 16,000 square feet. We are located west of downtown Shelton, WA at The Pavilion, 190 W. Sentry Drive. Individuals and groups take part in programs, activities and services which support their independence through health and wellness programs and encourage their involvement in the community.
We are open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am to 3 pm Fridays. The Center is closed on most national holidays; see the Activity Calendar for details. Our Center is staffed by loyal volunteers who serve as receptionists at the front desk. Our building also houses the administrative offices of the Mason County Senior Activities Association.
MCSAA was founded in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Donations are usually tax deductible. The organization's articles of incorporation and by-laws are available at The Center.
Mason County Senior Activities Center
Our facility is 16,000 square feet. We are located west of downtown Shelton, WA at The Pavilion, 190 W. Sentry Drive. Individuals and groups take part in programs, activities and services which support their independence through health and wellness programs and encourage their involvement in the community.
We are open from 8 am to 4 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am to 3 pm Fridays. The Center is closed on most national holidays; see the Activity Calendar for details. Our Center is staffed by loyal volunteers who serve as receptionists at the front desk. Our building also houses the administrative offices of the Mason County Senior Activities Association.
MCSAA Board of Directors
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Staff
The Center is staffed by volunteer receptionists. Nifty Thrifty has a staff of dedicated volunteers to help production.
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History
MCSAA was incorporated in 1981 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization. Donations can be tax deductible. The organization's articles of incorporation and by-laws are available at The Center.
History
The Mason County Senior Activities Association (MCSAA) was formed in 1976. Our first home was at the corner of 2nd and Cota.
In 1981 we were incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Donations were now tax deductible. The organization’s articles of incorporation and by-laws are available at the Center.
Throughout the years, MCSAA has occupied several locations, dabbling in real estate as a result.
1976 First home on the corner of 2nd and Cota
1985 Moved to the old Shelton Armory, located across from Safeway. Mason Transit Authority now owns that building
1987 MCSAA purchased the West Realty Building located on 7th and Franklin
1988 Nifty Thrifty opens in Gateway Center. This is the first thrift store in Shelton and acts a s an ongoing
revenue source, allowing MCSAA to be self-funding.
1992 MCSAA bought and renovated the old Sears building on 9th and Railroad
1992 MCSAA also bought the vacant lot on 7th and Franklin with the hope of building a new Center
2006 Empty lot on 7th and Franklin was sold when it became clear that a new build was not feasible
2013 New location at The Pavilion (190 W. Sentry Dr)
2013 Nifty Thrifty moved into the building at 826 W. Railroad
All these moves and subsequent changes required good leadership and lots of fund raising. Many people have stepped up over the years.
Marge Emsley-Brown became the first official Director in 1981.
Karen Popke became the 4th Director in 1997 and led the organization for 9 years
Terri Shaw became the next Director and remained the leader for 9 years
In October of 2016, our Activities Coordinator, Stephanie Roberts, became the 7th director.
In March of 2020 our Store Manager Michelle Marks was promoted to Store Director
In early 2021 our Activities Coordinator, Val Wedman became the interim Director. The Board accepted applications and conducted interviews through October.
In November 2021, our Bookkeeper, Penny Wilson was promoted to the position of Director of MCSAC
In March 2023 an arsonist lit garbage cans on fire behind Nifty Thrifty. The fire department was on another call when they noticed the fire and came and saved Nifty Thrifty. There was damage but between insurance and a Disaster Relief grant from the state that Penny and Michelle applied for, Nifty Thrifty is better than ever.
History
The Mason County Senior Activities Association (MCSAA) was formed in 1976. Our first home was at the corner of 2nd and Cota.
In 1981 we were incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Donations were now tax deductible. The organization’s articles of incorporation and by-laws are available at the Center.
Throughout the years, MCSAA has occupied several locations, dabbling in real estate as a result.
1976 First home on the corner of 2nd and Cota
1985 Moved to the old Shelton Armory, located across from Safeway. Mason Transit Authority now owns that building
1987 MCSAA purchased the West Realty Building located on 7th and Franklin
1988 Nifty Thrifty opens in Gateway Center. This is the first thrift store in Shelton and acts a s an ongoing
revenue source, allowing MCSAA to be self-funding.
1992 MCSAA bought and renovated the old Sears building on 9th and Railroad
1992 MCSAA also bought the vacant lot on 7th and Franklin with the hope of building a new Center
2006 Empty lot on 7th and Franklin was sold when it became clear that a new build was not feasible
2013 New location at The Pavilion (190 W. Sentry Dr)
2013 Nifty Thrifty moved into the building at 826 W. Railroad
All these moves and subsequent changes required good leadership and lots of fund raising. Many people have stepped up over the years.
Marge Emsley-Brown became the first official Director in 1981.
- She and Lou Redman were instrumental in the registering MCSAA as a non-profit incorporated entity. They were also a huge part of developing a revenue stream, with Nifty Thrifty opening as a result.
- In 1986, fund raising began in earnest. With the help of Skookum Rotary Club (along with others), $250,000 was raised.
- The fundraising goals were realized in 1987 and the first building was purchased on 7th and Franklin.
- Fundraising for an expanded or larger center took up much of her time.
- The original intent for the funds raised was to build a new center, but the building on 9th and Railroad, along with the vacant lot on 7th and Franklin were purchased instead (in 1992).
- MCSAA paid off the new building on 9th and Railroad
Karen Popke became the 4th Director in 1997 and led the organization for 9 years
- In 2006, the vacant lot was sold after it became clear that building a new Center on the vacant lot was not feasible
- The funds from the land sale were invested and later used as a down payment for The Pavilion
Terri Shaw became the next Director and remained the leader for 9 years
- Hard work and perseverance allowed MCSAA to purchase The Pavilion
- After the relocation of the Center, Nifty Thrify moved to the building on 9th and Railroad under the supervision of Patti Vernie
- Nifty Thrifty was voted “The Best of Mason County” in the Mason County Journal in 2015. This was accomplished through Patti’s marketing of online sales and a terrific staff of dedicated employees and volunteers.
- MCSAC was awarded a renovation grant from the State of Washington in 2016. The board began the laborious process of resurfacing and staining the concrete floors in the main hall as well as replacing the dance floor and updating the heating and A/C equipment.
In October of 2016, our Activities Coordinator, Stephanie Roberts, became the 7th director.
- For the 3rd year in a row, Nifty Thrifty was voted “The Best of Mason County” in the Shelton-Mason County Journal.
- 2016 also provided the added surprise of having long time volunteer Reda Keller voted “Best Salesperson in Mason County”.
- Nifty Thrifty earned the prestigious nomination for the annual 2016 Chamber of Commerce “Best Business of Mason County”. Nifty Thrifty is truly flourishing under the leadership of its staff: Patti Vernie, Michelle Marks, Terry Knobloch and Linda Trail.
- She oversees The Pavilion, the Senior Center and Nifty Thrifty
- We received partial property tax exemption in 2017
- In April 2018, applied for and received full property tax exemption
- Newly created auxiliaries to the membership allows the Senior Center to move forward with more fundraisers
- Restrooms have been completely remodeled and are now in ADA compliance
In March of 2020 our Store Manager Michelle Marks was promoted to Store Director
- She oversees Nifty Thrifty
- Nifty Thrifty continually is voted "The Best of Mason County" in the Shelton-Mason County Journal
In early 2021 our Activities Coordinator, Val Wedman became the interim Director. The Board accepted applications and conducted interviews through October.
- The Association earned the prestigious nomination for the annual 2021 Chamber of Commerce “Best Non-Profit of Mason County”. The Chamber recognized all of the good works the association does for seniors here in Mason County and beyond.
In November 2021, our Bookkeeper, Penny Wilson was promoted to the position of Director of MCSAC
- She oversees The Pavilion and the Senior Center
- We started our own Senior Nutrition Program, and reestablished a relationships with Food Lifeline
In March 2023 an arsonist lit garbage cans on fire behind Nifty Thrifty. The fire department was on another call when they noticed the fire and came and saved Nifty Thrifty. There was damage but between insurance and a Disaster Relief grant from the state that Penny and Michelle applied for, Nifty Thrifty is better than ever.