Center provides support system

To the editor:

I am writing in response to Robert Krone's letter about closing the senior centers.

I have volunteered at the Cape Girardeau center since I retired five years ago. I have seen firsthand the importance of having a local center to help not only with meals, but as a support system that extends out to help each individual's needs.

The world has become a very complicated system, and as we become older we need resources that are readily available and centrally located. Our senior center provides these resources and people to help us.

As a group, these seniors provide each other socialization and friendship that may not be available to some otherwise. Our mean-delivery service provides homebound seniors with meals five days a week and also a visit, which some don't otherwise receive.

Our senior center is used as younger people use the Osage Community Centre, the city parks or the arena building.

Do not be so critical until you have volunteered and realize what we are accomplishing at our senior center. Walk in these seniors' shoes and see some of the hardships some face before jumping to a drastic conclusion. Remember, the shoes are closer at hand than you realize.

JANET HERRON, Cape Girardeau