The Sunny Seniors served as a constant source of support, inspiration, and purpose for the Kits House from its beginnings. Started in 1960, the group provided a bridge between the activities of the Alexandra House and the new Kits House. This group was the oldest seniors program in Vancouver and lasted almost thirty years. The seniors enjoyed a variety of activities together and had lunches provided to them by another community group, The Truce Club. The Sunny Seniors were considered the backbone of Kits House, as several were neighbourhood house members for twenty years or more.
Their importance for Kits House was reflected in the recognition they often received. In 1982, 37 Octogenerians and 3 Matriarchs were honoured in an event at Kits House (where the program stated): “Their exemplary strength, demonstrated as they traversed plains to this place and their liveliness now lends constant hope and purpose to all our lives.”
In 1985, Sunny Senior Anna Wright turned 100 and Kits House hosted a celebration, which aired on cable TV and was recognized by the Prime Minister and other government officials. Anna advocated to the United Way of the importance of the neighborhood house in her life. She regularly came to the meetings every Tuesday all the way from the east side to meet with 30 other enthusiastic elders.
