For years, Stu Lahn has been a familiar face at JASA’s Club 76 Older Adult Center on the Upper West Side, whether he’s calling bingo numbers, leading current events discussions or helping fellow members find discounted tickets to shows.
Lahn has been involved with the center for 15 years. JASA, a nonprofit social services organization, operates older adult centers throughout New York City.
“I tell everybody I went from being a workaholic to being a volunteer-aholic,” Lahn said.
What You Need To Know
Stu Lahn has volunteered at JASA’s Club 76 Older Adult Center on the Upper West Side for 15 years
He serves as president of the center’s advisory council and leads activities including bingo and current events discussions
Lahn became involved after a neighbor invited him to the center and introduced him to new friends and activities
His connection to Club 76 began with an invitation from a neighbor, Ed Somerfeld, who would later become one of his closest friends.
“What he knew about me — I like classical music,” Lahn recalled. “He said, ‘We have a classical pianist that comes sometimes. We have tilapia.’ Then it was $1.75 for a meal.”
Not long after, another member invited him to join the center’s walking club, opening the door to even more activities.
“He says ‘Come with us,’” Lahn said. “I said ‘Where?’ He says, ‘We’re going to drama now.’”
That involvement grew over time. Lahn, a Hell’s Kitchen resident, became vice president of the center’s advisory council, serving alongside Somerfeld.
“Ninety-five percent of it is showing up,” Lahn said. “So, I like to go and come and do things, so I get involved.”
After Somerfeld died several years ago, Lahn stepped into an even larger leadership role, becoming president of the advisory council.
“He was more gregarious and more outgoing, loved everybody,” Lahn said of his friend. “I’m more compulsive about doing lots of detailed stuff.”
That attention to detail is something staff members know well.
“He comes with, like, I’m talking about notes — paragraphs — of what he feels we’re doing right and what he wants to change,” said Jessica Infante, program director at Club 76. “And when he understands that can’t change, he’s still going to complain about it.”
In addition to leading the advisory council, Lahn runs the center’s weekly current events discussions and helps connect members with cultural events around the city.
“I thought he was a staff person when I first met him,” said Club 76 member Mark Black. “I mean, he goes way beyond.”
His dedication has earned him a nickname among members: the “Mayor of Club 76.”
“It’s great to be appointed to a high position,” Lahn joked. “I don’t want to be governor or state representative. No, I don’t like that, that kind of politics.”
For his commitment to community and service, Stu Lahn is our New Yorker of the Week.