About Us
Ellington Senior Center
History
The town of Ellington's first Senior Center was established in April 1997. In January 2000, the Town of Ellington received a grant to purchase a 14 passenger van that was used for programs and activities. Thanks to the land at 40 Maple Street being donated by Thomas and Cinda Savage, and the work of the Steering Committee and many volunteers, a new 10,000+ square foot Senior Center was constructed and completed in January 2014. In 2020 another grant was awarded for a new bus and replaced the old one. Over the years, the center has and continues to offer many programs and services to enhance the lives of many individuals.
The Town is a blend of agriculture and industry, business and homes, nestled in the Connecticut River Valley and set against the backdrop of the Shenipsit State Forest. With over 3,000 acres under cultivation, Ellington remains one of the largest agricultural production towns in Connecticut. Ellington has a population of 15,856 and it covers 34.6 square miles in Tolland Country.
Programs
Our programs include: Arts & Crafts, Cards & Games, Health & Fitness, Language Arts, Meals, Musical Programs, Outdoor Activities, Social Groups, Transportation, and Trips. Visit our Programs Page for a full list of programs and descriptions.
Staff
Our Volunteer Program
Over the years we have had a great number of local students from Ellington High School who have generously donated their time, talents, and energies in community service hours. We are deeply grateful for these many students who have helped in the following areas, including, but not limited to: Cafe, Computer Help, General Organization, Legacy Committee, Packing & Moving, Receptionist, Oral History Project, and Monthly Music.
The majority of our volunteers are seniors themselves. The Ellington Senior Center is fortunate to have over 40 senior volunteers who make many programs possible on an ongoing basis. If you are age 55+ and are looking to volunteer, look below for some opportunities that may be available.
Senior Volunteer Opportunities
Garden Thyme
Volunteers are needed April - October to help maintain our perennial and veggie gardens. Visit our Programs Page for more information. Let us know if you're interested!
Maple Street Cafe
Receptionist
Volunteer Program Leaders
Volunteer Program Leaders (VPL's) are those individuals who make a program possible. They have committed to being present at a specific program weekly or monthly and organize the group's activity on an ongoing basis. VPL's work closely with the staff in helping members to adhere to the policies and procedures at the Senior Center. Thanks to these volunteers we are able to offer several programs at little to no cost. When looking at our programs, please take note of how many of them are lead by our VPL's. Thank you volunteers!
