By Virginia Paleno
Special to the Alpine Mountaineer
I am a semi‑retired Realtor with more than 30 years of experience, but my deeper connection to the Crestline community began about two decades ago. That was when Mick Hill approached me with advice that changed the course of my life: “Virginia, you need to get out into the community. Attend meetings, see what’s going on, and let people get to know you.”
Before long, I found myself serving as secretary of the Crestline Chamber of Commerce, joining Crestline-Lake Gregory Rotary and Toastmasters, and eventually becoming involved with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club.
Mick was right – I became busier than ever but the friendships, service projects and sense of purpose made every moment worthwhile.
Through Rotary, I helped establish the community garden in Twin Peaks with support from the Rim Recreation and Park District. I assisted with Jamboree Days outreach and volunteer recruitment. And, through the Senior Citizens Club, I witnessed firsthand the powerful impact a small group can have when it comes together to support its neighbors.
That work has now led to the creation of the club’s first Benevolence Fund.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey, Crestline has approximately 11,650 residents. Of those, 37 percent are age 50 and older, and 22 percent are 65 and older, significantly higher than the statewide average of 16.5 percent.
In real numbers, Crestline is home to 4,312 adults aged 50+, with women outnumbering men by more than 1,100. The largest age group is residents aged 60 to 69, who make up 38 percent of the senior population. Another 31 percent are 50 to 59, and 31 percent are 70 or older.
San Bernardino County has also seen a steady rise in older adults, increasing from 14 percent over age 60 a decade ago to 18.4 percent today. People are living longer, and many move to the mountains seeking affordability and community.
Yet challenges remain. In Crestline:
- 6 percent lack health insurance
- 5.2 percent live with disabilities, including mobility, cognitive, hearing, vision or self‑care limitations
California’s senior population has grown as well – from 7 million residents over age 60 in 2014 to 8.9 million in 2024.
The trend is clear: our population is aging, and the need for support is growing.
The hidden struggles of local seniors
My involvement with the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club and the nutrition lunch program at San Moritz Lodge has opened my eyes to the quiet hardships many seniors face.
Some examples are heartbreaking:
- A man living out of his truck
- A senior unable to repair his car due to lack of income
- A woman with severe osteoarthritis caring for her husband with Alzheimer’s
- A mother caring for her adult son with Parkinson’s who cannot afford gas for medical appointments
- Seniors isolated behind closed doors, their struggles unseen
One tragic case involved a woman with Alzheimer’s who died during the blizzard without heat. She had forgotten where her firewood was stored. A battery‑powered blanket or generator might have saved her life – but no one knew she needed help.
A local grocery store owner shared that his delivery staff often encounters seniors living in poor conditions, clearly needing assistance.
These stories are not isolated. They represent a growing, vulnerable segment of our community.
A directory and a mission
To reach those who are isolated or unaware of available resources, the Rotary Club of Crestline-Lake Gregory is seeking to create a brochure listing local support services. I researched agencies, nonprofits and organizations serving our mountain communities and compiled the Comprehensive Community Resource Directory – Crestline & Lake Arrowhead.
But information alone is not enough. Many seniors cannot afford a phone or computer. Only about 100 attend local lunch programs weekly, a small fraction of the nearly 3,000 residents over age 60.
This is why the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club Benevolence Fund was created: To provide direct, compassionate assistance to seniors facing temporary hardship or emergency needs.
The Fund will also cover the club’s $20 annual membership fee for any senior who cannot afford it.
The Benevolence Fund relies on community support. Donations can be made by scanning the QR code on our flyers or by dropping off a check at Leisure Shores.
Residents can also support the Fund by attending or volunteering at upcoming events.
On June 27 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. we are having a pancake breakfast at Leisure Shores, 24658 San Moritz Drive, Crestline. Enjoy Chef Fred’s pancakes. Sausages, scrambled eggs, strawberry topping, syrup, coffee, tea or lemonade. Cost is $15 for members of the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club, $20 for non-members. Tickets are available at Leisure Shores Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. through June 20.
Next up will be a 1960s-1970s disco-themed dance with a full-service taco bar in late July
Next Event
A 1960s/1970s disco‑themed dance with a full‑service taco bar is planned for late July. Updates can be found on Facebook or at www.CrestForestSeniorCitizens.org.
For questions about the Benevolence Fund, call (909) 494‑2277.
Our seniors – the teachers, parents, grandparents and community builders who shaped Crestline – deserve dignity, safety and support. Together, we can ensure they receive it.
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