Our Mission...
Seniors supporting each other through companionship, friendship, nutrition and activities.
The Mercer Senior Center, located at 2518 Martha Lake Road, was established in 1973 as the Northwoods Senior Citizens Club and has functioned as a free-standing, independent, volunteer-driven, non-profit organization ever since.
During its 47-year history, it has primarily functioned as a place for seniors to gather, share fun times, enjoy nutritious food and socialize, while also providing a site for various community events and activities.
The Center was established by an ambitious group of community-minded volunteers led by Frank Brunner and Virginia Flesh. Brunner, a retired Forest Ranger, told a reporter in the early 1970's that retirees “…needed something to get us out of the house.” In 1972 the building was purchased from the DNR by John Hernday for $551 and he generously donated it to the Club.
Later, volunteers and Club members moved the structure to its present location on land which was gifted to the Club by Orville and Josephine McCoy “as long as it remains independent and continues as a senior center.”
The outpouring of assistance continued when Ed Prag donated all the cement block and local mason, Whitey Gunther, laid the foundation free of charge.
Still other private donors like the Chester Haines Family, the local American Legion Post, the Town of Mercer and many others stepped forward to make the Center a reality.
Today an equally strong and generous group of volunteers and organizations continue to donate their time, energy and money to guarantee the Mercer Senior Center continues as a well-run, welcoming organization for seniors and the community as a whole.