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Frank Campbell (left) offers the blessing before the noon meal at the Casey Senior Social Center. Joining Frank for lunch are Darla Hammond, Director of the Senior Center, and Louise Murphy (right). Photo by Sharon Durham
Senior Center may cease operation  Share
A valuable service to the seniors of the community is in danger of being discontinued. Casey Township Supervisor Carl Vernon said lack of support for the Casey Senor Center has prompted the Casey Township Board to evaluate the practicality of continuing to operate the Center. Vernon has scheduled the next Casey Township Board meeting for 7 p.m., Tuesday, November 10, to be held at the Casey Senior Social Center. All seniors and any other individuals who are interested in keeping the Center open are invited to attend. A letter has been sent out to all the senior citizens who have used the center in the past. The letter states that a cost analysis has revealed some disturbing facts including a significant deline in attendance at the Center, especially in the area of daily congregate meals. Vernon said the decline in attendance began about two years ago. ''It dropped from 20 or 30 people a day to one or two a day,'' Vernon said. ''There might be days with five or six people, but normally it's only one or two.'' Lunch is served at the Center Monday through Friday each week. Cost for the meal is $3 for anyone age 55 and up. Arrangements can be made for those who cannot afford the cost. In years past, the meals were provided by Peace Meal but beginning in January 2009, in an effort to stimulate greater attendance, the meal service was switched to Casey Health Care.
In addition to the meal each day, interesting activities are planned throughout the week. Bingo is played every other Monday, and Tuesdays, all day pool shooting and dominoes are offered. Line dancing is featured on Wednesdays and each Thursday offers an outing such as a shopping trip to Wal-Mart or seasonal visits to places such as a pumpkin patch. A Friday morning walk was started approximately two months ago. ''They do interesting things,'' Vernon said. ''Something is going on all the time.'' Senior Center Director Darla Hammond said their outings are well attended. ''We go to Wal-Mart on the first Thursday of the month, and all of our outings range from 15-20,'' Hammond said. ''We have line dancing every Wednesday and always have 17 for that. We have people who depend on this place.'' The Township Board is eliciting feedback from the public. Part of the agenda at the Tuesday meeting will include the opportunity for senior citizens in attendance to voice their opinions and concerns. ''This center belongs to the seniors,'' Vernon said. ''We want to do what they want. We hope to generate some interest and come up with a solution.'' Vernon stressed the importance of every concerned citizen showing up at the meeting and demonstrating to the Township Board their desire to keep the center open. ''We need all the help we can get to save our center,'' said Hammond. ''I've been involved with the Senior Center since 1977,'' Vernon said. ''The last thing we want to do is close the center, but we've got to do something.'' Marcy Shonk is a staff reporter for the Casey Reporter.
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