WASI hosting Block Party BBQ Saturday

WASILLA — Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. is inviting the public to join them Saturday for their Block Party BBQ event highlighting their ongoing mission to provide independent living to local seniors amid a day filled with food, fun, and festivities.

“It’s just gonna be a little potpourri of everything,” WASI Assistant Executive Director Marlene Munsell said.

The block party runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a variety of games and activities scheduled, including a scavenger hunt, a community barbecue, a dessert contest, and a live performance by the Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums band.

Munsell said the barbecue starts at 12 p.m. She said there will be tours around the campus throughout the event, giving them a chance to highlight their facilities, recently renovated garden spaces, and “everything WASI.”

“It’s gonna be about bringing the community into the center so they can see what we do,” Munsell said. “It’s just mainly a gathering for seniors and the community to enjoy what’s left of the summer and to get them to come out before it’s wintertime.”

Munsell said this is the first time they’ve hosted this particular block party. She said they normally have a barbecue after their annual 5K event, which is their biggest fundraiser of the year. She said the seniors really enjoy the barbecue but they were unable to put one on this year due to staffing and other issues.

“This is a little bit of our way of doing that but combining it with a community event,” Munsell said.

According to Munsell, WASI is currently doing well in general, seeing growth in areas such as their meal delivery and exercise programs. She said they’re currently delivering about 500 meals a day and continue seeing increased participation in both online and in-person workout sessions, including a class that combines bingo with exercise.

“I think WASI has done a fantastic job navigating through the pandemic and everything that’s happening. We continue to serve more seniors. We haven’t stopped any of our services. We are available for whatever’s needed to help the senior community,” Munsell said. “We took care of our seniors. We allowed them to be independent because that’s what it’s all about. Our mission is to enable seniors to live independently as possible for as long as possible.”

Munsell noted that WASI is currently taking applications for a new apartment building opening within their main campus off South Knik-Goose Bay Road this fall.

WASI is located at 1301 South Century Circle just outside of downtown Wasilla.

To learn more about residency or general information about their services, call 907-376-3104 or visit wasillaseniors.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com