Senior Center has 'tremendous" support, volunteers

"Without the tremendous support of the community and the work of our volunteers, there is no way we could offer this program."

So says Stoddard County Senior Center Administrator Dena Rawson who is grateful for the support in the community to provide nutritional meals to residents at the center or in their home.

Recent announcements of cutbacks at some Senior Centers in southeast Missouri have not made their way to Dexter, at least not yet, Rawson says.

Rawson explains that about 60 percent of the total funding for the center and its programs comes from Aging Matters, formerly the Area Agency of Aging. The rest of the funds come from donations and fundraisers.

Mike McCoy photo - Stoddard County Senior Center Administrator Dena Rawson is shown at her desk in the office. The center serves about 70 lunches daily and delivers another 205 mails to the homebound.

The Senior Center in Dexter provides more meals than many other centers in the region. The average attendance at lunch (Monday through Friday) is 70. Volunteers also deliver an average of 205 meals per day to those that are homebound in the Dexter, Bloomfield, Bernie and Essex areas.

Rawson said the Stoddard County Senior Center is a more apt name for the center because it serves senior residents outside the Dexter area. The center has, in the past, been known as the Dexter Senior Citizens Center and the O.AK.S. Nutrition Center. (Older Adults Keep Servicing)

She said the O.A.K.S. name came as a result of a directive from the Area Agency on Aging office in Cape Girardeau. The agency wanted the former senior centers to appeal to a more active new group with less emphasis on "senior" citizens.

The name is irrelevant to Rawson. She just knows that the people who chose to have their meals there are like family. She sees them every day, and she cares about them and they care about her.

Rawson smiles as she thinks about the loyalty the people have for the center.

"Some of them tell me in advance if they are not going to be there a certain day," says Rawson. "They don't want anyone to be concerned about them not being there."

Rawson's job can be emotionally tough. The people who attend regularly are like family, so when one dies it is emotional.

"This is my dream job," she tells. "I learn so much from the people here. You really get attached."

The Senior Center in Dexter opened May 6, 1974. Rawson became administrator in March 2005, taking over from Pam Trammell. Roof repairs were made under Trammell, but the old building that houses the senior center still had repairs that were needed when Rawson came aboard. New flooring was installed first and then the kitchen, bathrooms and dining areas were remodeled.

The biggest day at the center is Friday when catfish is on the menu.

"The catfish is good," says Rawson. "It draws a big crowd. All our food is good."

The second biggest day is Thursdays when the Stoddard County Choir performs. Every third Friday Harold and the Boys perform. The band takes its name from Harold Zimmerman, who up until recently was still playing. While his health has declined, Harold and the Boys (without Zimmerman) still perform at the center.

The suggested price of a meal at the center is $3.50 for those 60 years of age or older. Donations are welcome, and the price is merely a suggestion. The cost for all others eating at the center is $5.00.

Delivering meals to the homebound (Meals on Wheels) is also a primary function of the center.The delivery of over 200 daily meals is done solely by volunteers. Rawson says it takes 102 volunteers to deliver the meals each week. They don't all work the same days, but instead have certain days they work within the communities where they serve. These volunteers provide their own vehicle and pay for their own gas.

The only pay these volunteers receive is being treated to an all-you-can-eat catfish dinner with all the trimmings twice a year.

The center also offers blood pressure and blood sugar screenings twice a month. The Stoddard County Health Center does the screenings once each month and Delta New Hope in Sikeston does the screening the other day each month.

The key to success at the center is the contributions from businesses, churches and civic groups. The center has several fundraisers throughout the year, the biggest being the Walk-A-Thon held in June each year. They also have a roadblock once a year in April. The two events generate between $6,000 and $8,000 annually to the nutrition programs.

"I commend our community," says Rawson. "Their support is overwhelming."

The Meals on Wheels program is open to those that qualify. Rawson and staff have to do an assessment for each meal that is delivered.

The qualifications are:

* Long-term physical or mental illness or disability;

* Handicapped for disabled individuals between 18 and 59 years of age residing in a house occupied primarily by the elderly or who live with a person over 60 in a non-institutional household;

* Unable to tolerate a group situation due to mental or physical disability;

* Homebound by reason of short-term illness;

* The spouse, regardless of age or condition, if in the best interest of the homebound person (eligible participant cannot be left alone or if the participant requires extensive care preventing the spouse from preparing nutritious meals).

The Senior Center is run by a Board of Directors. Rawson says the board has oversight responsibilities and looks over the financial statements. There are seven members on the board: President Larry Warren, Eddie Cato, Jay Yorke, Jane Smith, Janet Moore, Clyde Dixon and Bill Hatton.

"I want everyone to know that it is not just me looking over the finances," adds Rawson. "I appreciate the board and their oversight."

There are seven paid employees at the center. Rawson is the only full-time employee. The other staff members work six-hour days Monday through Friday. Those employees are Assistant Administrator Marsha Gant; Karen Abernathy, head cook; Sara Sutter, cook; Janet Steere, cook; Patricia Smart, dishwasher and Vickie Evans, janitorial work. Of course anyone coming to the center will also notice the work of George Cox and Bonnie Bilderback. Both are non-paid volunteers who help in the front office.

The Senior Center is a 501(c) non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible.

Rawson notes that her work at the center is always interesting and often inspiring.

"There are some stories that could be told in this old building," Rawson smiles as she reflects on the past years.