Prudential Northwest Realty through Mike Gain and Don Bereiter have come forward to help maintain a popular local event. The Senior Coffee Hour, a gathering that would feature a meeting with a city official for senior citizens in Seattle was in danger of being eliminated due to budget constraints.

"When we heard that the city was going to cut out supplying coffee for the Senior Coffee Hour program we decided to take care of it. We can make other cuts in our budget to cover the cost to supply their coffee. It is the least we can do for our Senior Citizens. We are happy to do it," Mike Gain said.

The City of Seattle released this press release:
When Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn said that belt-tightening meant no more City dollars could pay for food and beverages at City meetings, the Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens was faced with a dilemma: How do you continue a Senior Coffee Hour program without any coffee?

Enter Mike Gain and Don Bereiter from Prudential Northwest Realty Associates, whose generous contribution of credit at a local coffee purveyor has guaranteed that seniors attending the popular coffee hour events will get their coffee and a baked good, too.

“A lot of our guests remember the Great Depression, and understand why we need to cut expenses, but they were thrilled to learn that the program wouldn’t get cut,” said Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens director Irene Stewart. “Prudential Northwest Realty Associates made it possible to maintain the name of this valuable civic engagement program.”

The Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens began hosting coffee hours in April 2006. Each month, a different elected official, department director or program manager is featured. Typically, 25 to 40 older adults attend each event.

“Learning is a two-way street,” said Stewart. “Our speakers talk about the work they do, including the opportunities and challenges they face. Our guests provide valuable input to City leaders.”

Upcoming coffee hours feature Barbara Gray, Seattle Department of Transportation, talking about Walk Bike Ride and the Pedestrian Master Plan (Jul. 15); Seattle City Council President Richard Conlin (Aug. 19); Seattle City Councilmember Sally Clark (Sept. 16); and Kathie Huus, Public Health—Seattle & King County (Oct. 21). Each event runs 10-11 a.m. in the Central Building, 810 3rd Ave (between Columbia & Marion Streets in downtown Seattle).

Prudential Northwest Realty Associates is a locally owned real estate company based in West Seattle, with offices in Bellevue, Burien, Federal Way, Kent and Kirkland. For more information, contact branch manager Don Bereiter at 206-932-4500 or visit www.pnwrealty.com.

The Mayor’s Office for Senior Citizens supports healthy aging, independent living, and social and civic engagement for older adults. For more information, call 206-684-0500, e-mail seniors@seattle.gov or visit www.seattle.gov/seniors.