ROCKPORT — It was a fun night at the Masonic Lodge in Rockport Friday, March 18. 63 Washington Street, a residential house for senior citizens in Camden, hosted the dinner to raise funds for improvements to the house built in 1898. Its function since it was built has been to provide a safe and comfortable residence for seniors 60 years of age and older with their retirement and assisted living needs.

Jeanne Denny serves on the board of 63 Washington Street and said the point of the dinner was to raise money to continue the operation and some needed improvements.

“We are a home for seniors,” she said. “We have done these typically every spring, but we’re thinking of doing some kind of a fundraiser quarterly.”

63 Washington functions without the help of state funds or aid.

“It’s strictly private funds and donations that keeps us going,” Denny said. “Sometimes there is some grant money that comes through, but that has been slim.”

The house currently houses three residents, but has room for six.

“We have some vacancies,” Denny said. “It costs $3,200 per month to stay, but you have a private room and there are three meals a day prepared and assistance with medications. There are no additional fees when you pay that flat sum. Everything is incorporated into it. And that includes trips to the doctor and outings.”

Denny said the house was built specifically to be a home for seniors when it was constructed in 1898.

“The house is self sufficient now and does not fall under the direction of any group,” she said. “We have a staff 24/7 and we are not required to have nursing staff because it is intended to be independent living, but we do have certified med-techs around the clock. There is one live in resident who is available should an emergency arise.”

Denny said a unique feature of the residence is that it is homey.

“It’s a very warm environment and very home like, not like institutions,” she said. “We’re doing renovations to add a couple of more rooms for the residents so they can read and do puzzles and not have to always be in the TV room. And we’re looking for ways to expand our services.”

Marlene Hall Jazz Ensemble provided music for the evening of the well attended dinner.