Senior Services, Inc.

What is Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita

Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 tax-exempt social service organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It is not a government agency. SSI operates a variety of programs designed to improve the lives of older people and their families and to allow older people to live as independently and as productively as possible. Each year, these programs serve approximately 10,000 older residents of Wichita and Sedgwick County, their families and caregivers through the dedication of 52 paid staff and over 500 volunteers. Many of these programs have been operated by Senior Services for decades, while others were more recently inspired by the changing needs of the older community. The agency has a longstanding reputation for caring reliability and for successful collaboration with many other social service agencies, branches of government, religious organizations and the community at large. It is recognized as an effective community resource that has been instrumental in keeping community health care costs down and in reducing the need for nursing home care.

Galaxy of Stars

In April of 2007 the Board of Directors of Senior Services, Inc of Wichita decided to create a new fundraising event to benefit the agency.  Several members proposed the idea for a roast of a prominent Wichita citizen.  The subcommittee met and various names were suggested to be the guest of honor.  The committee chose two highly visible Wichita business professionals – Rene Steven, Director of Operations for Spangles, Inc and Dawson Grimsley, owner of the Davis Moore Auto Group.  The committee approached Rene and Dawson who both agreed to participate; Rene would handle the hosting duties and Dawson graciously agreed to be the guest of honor.  Rene had the idea of hosting a roast that became a local celebrity affair and recruited well known personalities from both the media and business industries.  The event was reminiscent of a big Hollywood gala complete with a red carpet ceremony, wine, appetizers and a full course meal. Over the course of 3 very short months, Rene, Dawson and the Senior Services committee organized an event that was attended by 425 people and hailed as one of the most entertaining fundraisers in the city.  The Wichita Eagle’s Bonnie Bing portrayed the local Joan Rivers and interviewed guests who arrived on the Red Carpet.  Wichita’s very own Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mayor Carl Brewer, greeted guests as they entered the lobby.  The celebrity roasters included Roger Cornish, Susan Peters, Anita Cochran, Brett Harris and many more. The premiere of “A Galaxy of Stars” took place on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the Broadview Hotel.

 “A Galaxy of Stars” is now established as Senior Services, Inc. of Wichita’s signature event.   On July 21, 2009 "A Galaxy of Stars Celebrity Roast of Susan Peters" was held at the Crown Uptown Dinner Theater.  Dawson Grimsley returned - this time as a roaster, Anita Cochran covered the red carpet and Rene Steven returned as the Roast Master.  Other returning celebrities were Roger Cornish, Brett Harris and Bucky Walter.  New to the lineup was Larry Hatteburg, Jeff Hearndon, Denise Neil, Nola Foulston, Sierra Scott and David Jabara.  Ticket sales reached 480 and guests dined on Chicken Madiera and Burgandy Beef Tips with an assortment of cheesecakes for dessert. Our sophmore year showed a financial increase of 66 percent over the inaugural year. The word was spreading that "A Galaxy of Stars" was an exciting and original event that people wanted to attend!

The future is exciting for Senior Services and "A Galaxy of Stars".  A third annual event is now scheduled for July 20, 2010 with guest of honor Brett Harris from B98fm and Rene Steven returning as roast master.