WALK-A-THON RAISES OVER $7,000 FOR CENTER

The Jackson Senior Center conducted its Fifth Annual Miles for Meals Walk-A-Thon May 15, with walkers following routs adjacent to the Jackson Senior Center. A portion of East Washington Street was blocked by the city, allowing a major portion of the event's activities to be held in front of the center.

Forty-one adults and eight members of the Girl Scouts of Otahki Council, Tsalasi Service Unit, Troop 301 participated in the walk.

Representative David Schwab was the keynote speaker for the event. He challenged participants "to continue advocating for the well-being of all senior citizens," and announced several new laws that had been enacted by the Missouri Legislature that will benefit the elderly.

JoAnn Emerson, U.S. representative from the 8th District, participated in the walk-a-thon. She announced she is a lead sponsor of legislation to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, which provided service to seniors, such as Meals on Wheels. However, as locals senior centers are not fully funded due to the unauthorization of the act, activities such as the walk-a-thon are necessary to enable senior centers to continue to function.

More than $7,000 was pledged during the walk-a-thon. Prizes were awarded to walkers and volunteers. Special awards were presented to persons collecting contributions from individual corporate sponsors. Ila Niswonger received the award for individual contributions. Gilbert Leimer was presented the award for obtaining corporate sponsors. both Niswonger and Leimer collected over $2,000. All proceeds from the walk-a-thon go into the nutrition program.

The Jackson Senior Center serves approximately 3,600 meals per month, included are home delivered meals (some outside of Jackson, in the county) and at the center. Volunteers are needed to accompany the delivery driver and to assist in delivering meals to the homebound. information regarding volunteering may be obtained by contacting Debbie Stockton at 243-4241.

In addition to the volunteers participating in the walk-a-thon, volunteers from the Lutheran Home Health Center were available for emergency health care during the event.