Traverse City Record-Eagle

Election 2007

November 4, 2007

Benzie senior centers depend on millage

By VICTOR SKINNER

HONOR -- Jeannette Hanson works five days a week at The Gathering Place, a senior center in Honor that provides meals, exercise classes and other services to the area's seniors.

The Frankfort widow, 75, is one of hundreds of seniors whose social life -- and even their daily meals -- could be affected by a Nov. 6 millage renewal for the Benzie County Commission on Aging.

"You meet new people and it has been practically my life since my husband died four years ago. I check people in when they come in, answer the phone and collect the money," Hanson said, adding that she plans to continue her work as long as she can. "They sure help a lot of people. There is a lot of people, this is the only meal they get."

Benzie County seeks to renew .66 mill for the operation of The Gathering Place and a slew of other senior services, including snow removal, delivering meals to elderly residents, house cleaning and tax preparation. The millage funds about 75 percent of the services, said Debra Sever, director of the Commission on Aging.

"People may not be aware of the impact this has on our operations. Hopefully, people won't just assume that it's going to pass and they will get out and vote," Sever said.

If the millage doesn't pass "our senior center would close its doors. There wouldn't be the activities and I don't even know if we would be able to provide the ... meals," she said.

About 150 to 200 seniors are fed through meals either delivered to their homes or provided at The Gathering Place. The agency strives to enable seniors to live in their homes longer, while providing a friendly social setting at the center, Sever said.

"People who ... don't have anybody around, it gives them a place to meet people. A lot of times if people are just sitting in their homes and not doing anything they can become depressed," said Marilyn Killeen, senior center coordinator.

Many seniors who stop by the center for dancing or a Tai Chi class ride there free on the bus, another service the agency provides, Killeen said.

"We are kind of relatively new to the area and we have been able to meet some great people. Also, they give you a well-rounded meal," said Daryl Allen, of Honor, 72, who comes to the senior center with his wife Mary Jo several times a week.

"It gives us something to look forward to everyday," said Cynthia Schnarr, 69.

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