The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Senior Outlook

Discussion

March 3, 2010

Stephanie Denham: People's generosity does not go unnoticed

We are into the third month of the New Year and already many good things have happened at our Senior Centers.

A gentleman recently walked into the Joplin Senior Center and inquired about the homebound meal program, saying he would like to make a donation. The man ended up handing the manager a monetary donation, then turned around and walked away. We don’t know who the gentleman was, but we would like to say “thank you” for his kind act toward our homebound clients.

In January, Pat Thranert of the B. Dalton Bookstore came into our central office with many sacks of books to be donated to the Rural Reading program. She told us her manager, Kris Swim, had agreed to donate a large amount of books due to the closing of their bookstore at Northpark Mall. Our thanks go out to both Kris and Pat for their generosity to the rural homebound clients in our four counties.

The McDonald County Senior Center at Noel called me regarding two very nice surprises at their center. The Noel Woman’s Club had reported that the food from the club’s donation box at the Harp’s Store would be delivered to the senior center. In addition they will also provide household and food items for the upcoming year to be used as prizes for bingo games at the center. On top of all this, they also made a monetary donation. Thank you ladies for your thoughtfulness to the seniors at the Noel Center who love to play bingo.

The Noel Senior Center also received word that a group of Wal-Mart employees who previously worked with our manager, Louine, would be presenting a donation to the center. Louine proudly accepted the check in February.

As we enter the month of March, the Area Agency on Aging is in the process of planning our second annual Zumba-thon. It will be held from 9 a.m. to noon May 8 at Memorial Hall. We are in the process of getting sponsors, door prizes and “Zumba” participants. If you would like to help us with the Zumba-thon, please contact either Kathy or me for more information at 781-7562.

Our Senior Centers are also promoting and raising money for each of their centers through a “Dinner Plate” fundraiser. March is National Nutrition Month and anyone who makes a donation will be listed on the centers’ “Hall of Fame”. Please support your local senior center.

All monies raised for both of these fundraisers will be for the homebound meal program.

Another way to offer support is to volunteer. Everyday we have many volunteers throughout the four counties who donate not only money, but time, to our programs. We have volunteers who deliver meals, who help serve at the senior centers, and help our staff on a daily basis. Without all of you, we couldn’t do our jobs and I would like to thank all of you for all you do.

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Senior Outlook