LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — What started as one woman’s commitment to community service has grown into a team of about a dozen women over 50 who collectively donated roughly 4,000 hours of volunteer work across Southern Nevada in 2025.
Kathy Yanke founded the Sassy Seniors a year ago after dedicating about 100 hours of community service every month on her own.
“A year ago, I thought, ‘You know what? I’m going to get some other over-50s involved,’ and that’s how I started the team,” Yanke said.
Team provides sense of belonging
The group offers more than volunteer opportunities. For many members, it provides a sense of belonging they had been searching for.
“Some of the women have blatantly told me they feel invisible,” Yanke said.
“We do support each other, and we are here for each other no matter what they’re going through.”
Tonya Metcalf-Williams said she feels like she has been part of the group for decades despite being newer to the team.
“I feel like I’ve been a part of the sassies probably for 30 years. I’m not that old. I’m the baby of the bunch. That’s what excites me too, because these ladies inspire me. To be better every single time I come,” Metcalf-Williams said.
Service work includes blessing gowns
The team’s volunteer work includes making blessing gowns for babies that are born sleeping. The project holds special meaning for Metcalf-Williams, who lost three babies at six months.
“It really touched my heart because I lost three babies, and they were six months old. It was really difficult,” she said.
The group’s volunteer schedule varies by day and project.
“Some days we may have three ladies, some days we may have, all the entire team,” Yanke said.
Growing recognition brings new opportunities
The team’s work has attracted attention from organizations seeking volunteers.
“I have charities contacting me now, that I’ve never done anything with,” Yanke said.
“It’s about who we’re serving. So if we can leave them with a smile, if we can leave them happy, if we can leave them with a positive thought, we’ve done our job.”
Yanke, who grew up in Las Vegas, said the city has changed over the years.
“Growing up here, I see how the city changed,” she said. “It really is not the same town, but I feel like it needs us.”
The group requires members to be available for 10 volunteer hours every month and attend Tuesday night planning meetings and rehearsals.
“We dance with all the enthusiasm that you could possibly have, knowing that we’re probably not that great, but we just have fun,” Yanke said.
The Sassy Seniors will represent the 9th Island in Hawaii for the 85th Annual Pearl Harbor World War II Remembrance Ceremony later this year.
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