Ray Cardona Loves More Than His Job
by Ruth Lepper

Lillian and Ray Cardona.

Ray Cardona is in love. Not only with his wife, Lillian, but also with all the people he comes in contact with every day at the Ramona Senior Center.

"It was like overnight they stole my heart," he said. "It’s so incredible. I love them so much."

Cardona, 60, is executive director at the center, where he oversees the nutrition program and all the activities that take place here. He stepped into the position April 7, 2003.

The center’s nutrition program provides healthy meals for seniors over age 60. Suggested donation is $3.50, but Cardona said that doesn’t always hold true.

"If they can’t pay it, we’re not going to tell anyone, ‘No, we can’t feed you,’ " he said.

Ramona Nutrition Program is part of Pacific Educational Facilities.

Ellie Whitcomb is president of the 11-member board of directors in charge of the senior center.

"I know I’m here at the pleasure of the board, but I work for the seniors," Cardona said. "I’m here because of them. I’m in love with these wonderful, incredible seniors."

The nutrition program serves between 70 and 75 meals on weekdays to seniors and their guests who come to the community center for lunch. Another 145 meals are delivered to homebound seniors in Ramona, Santa Ysabel, Julian, Warner Springs and the backcountry.

Cardona would like to see more seniors coming to the center for both noonday meals and activities.

"We need more people to come forward and let us know they need us," he said. "I don’t want to hear of anyone going hungry out there. Some people see it as a charity; it’s not a charity. Our seniors have paid their dues."

The program operates on an annual budget of about $300,000. The biggest expense in running the program is the cost of food, Cardona said.

Another costly endeavor is the upkeep of the center’s three vehicles. Two trucks are used for home deliveries and one bus provides rides to the center for seniors who do not have their own transportation.

When the price of gasoline spikes as high as it has here, it almost doubles the cost of delivering meals to the homebound, Cardona said.

If he had a wish list, replacing the vehicles would be near the top of things he wants to accomplish.

"I’d like to see a couple of my vehicles replaced," he said. "We have a 1986 Dodge van that needs a transmission. Its so old and has so many miles. We need a new used van."

He also would like to replace the truck used to deliver meals to homebound seniors in the backcountry. The truck has chalked up 140,000 miles during its years of service.

Another of Cardona’s goals on his wish list is for the senior center to one day have its own building, owned and operated by the seniors.

It might happen in five years, he said.

A variety of activities during the week is planned to meet everyone’s interests, from a quiet game of chess to more rambunctious pool tournaments; from a cozy quilting bee to ambitious exercising classes; from painting to writing classes.

Some classes offered at the center are through Palomar College Extended Studies and are open to anyone in the community.

Bingo ranks as the most popular of the activities, Cardona said. Games are played on Thursday afternoons, with players vying for cash prizes and a jackpot that can be as high as $250.

The travel club, Ramona Ramblers, also is high on the list. Upcoming trips include Palm Springs Follies, Catalina Island, Laughlin, Nevada and the San Diego Padres baseball games in Peoria, Arizona.

A number of free services also are available to seniors, such as blood-pressure testing, vision screening, counseling with attorneys and assistance with Social Security.

Cardona oversees eight employees in the office, kitchen and drivers, along with numerous volunteers.

"We have a lot of wonderful volunteers," he said.

Volunteers are a big part of the program, and at least a dozen or more volunteers come to the center every day. Local church and school group leaders often offer to help wherever needed.

Funding for the nutrition program and activities for seniors comes from federal, state and county governments. Fund-raisers, such as the annual spaghetti dinner, as well as private donations, help to meet expenses.

The next major event will be the St. Patrick’s Day dinner on March 13.

The community center, located at 434 Aqua Lane, will mark its 30th year in Ramona in May.

For more information about the center and the programs offered for seniors, call (760) 789-0440.