The woman behind the scene is Sylvia Torres, running around in a white apron, single-handedly coordinating the senior program that has grown from a few attendees to nearly 40 since the reopening of the center on Aug. 21.

San Jose Nutrition Site Manager Torres, like her volunteers, is a lifetime Gardner resident who has been devoted to the community center for nearly 16 years. Along with organizing the seniors' daily activities and monthly parties, this city employee helps plan the center's many holiday events that have become Gardner traditions. And she manages to do it all part time.

For newcomer Steve Ryan, a city of San Jose recreation specialist and Torres' direct supervisor, longtime employees and volunteers all work with a love for their community.

"Sylvia's always willing to do 10 times more than I'd expect of anyone," Ryan said. "She has an unparalleled amount of energy in the work that she does."

The senior program, which is funded by the Healthy Neighborhood Venture Fund and includes a catered lunch and daily activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and guest speakers, has seen a significant increase in attendance since it has returned to the newly renovated Garner Community Center.

On Mondays, the group watches movies, usually in Spanish because that is the predominate ethnicity that uses the center. On Tuesdays, the Metropolitan Education District teaches a crafts class, on Wednesdays and Fridays they play Loteria, Mexican Bingo. Thursdays are exercise days, which Torres runs since there is no one else.

"I do the exercise and they kind of watch me," Torres laughs. Since many participants are in their 80s and 90s, they often just sit and move their arms.

But even under a tight city budget, Torres and the volunteers depend on the goodwill of those using the facility. Since the city will not fund the morning coffee and cookie fare, the seniors take turns providing the goodies.

"I don't even have to ask," Torres said. "It's just there."

Some of Torres' favorite events are holiday activities geared toward bringing the entire community together or helping low-income families live a richer holiday season.

On Nov. 18, hundreds of residents celebrated Thanksgiving at the center. The staff, made up of three full-time and three part-time employees, provided local residents with a free dinner and musical entertainment. On Nov. 19, the center distributed 125 Thanksgiving meal boxes, sponsored by Westgate Church, to low-income families. Each box included a raw turkey, potatoes and ingredients for pumpkin pie.

For Christmas, the center has signed up 165 children for the Family Giving Tree program. The Family Giving Tree recruits businesses to provide requested gifts for the children. This year, some Gardner children requested tennis shoes, jeans and school uniforms.

"They're not even picking toys," Torres said. "It just breaks my heart."

That's why these events are so special to Torres. Many Gardner families are low income, and the economy has hit them hard during the past two years, she said. For them, the events and gifts at Gardner Community Center are often their only major celebration.

"For me, it's really important to provide them with a special time, because not everyone's as fortunate as others," Torres said.