Activity Center for Elderly is Back Open

By Amy Sabbatini-Bearden/Editor

As the doors of the Mineral Wells Senior Center open back up, lonely elders of the community once again have a place to socialize. The re-opening of the center has been a blessing for many who have been isolated and alone because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“It’s great. We’ve been stuck at home with nothing to do,” said Charlie Slavin who has been coming to the center for years.  “People need this, they get bored sitting at home alone. It’s not good.”

That is certainly a fact according to cook Alexis Masterson  who is the sole paid employee of the center. Her title may be cook, but she is actually managing the operations as well. The center being opened is crucial to the community, she says.  “Some of these seniors don’t have a friend to even talk too,” she sighed. “If I can be a friend for them, or just give them a place to make friends, it’s what needs to happen.”

Masterson and several volunteers have worked tirelessly to get the doors open and the kitchen running again after being closed for well over a year.  The first day back, at least 20 people stopped in for lunch. Executive Director Linda Choate says people don’t even realize that anyone can come to the Senior Center and eat a hot meal between 12-1:30pm Monday thru Friday. “The cost for a meal is just $5 and anyone can stop in and eat. It’s not just for senior citizens,” mentioned Choate. 

Besides a hot meal, citizens over 50 years old can enjoy the countless activities the center provides. Those include dominos, crochet, bridge, pool and tomorrow night, a country & western dance. The dance is Friday, September 3 and costs  $7 at the door. The fee does include dinner. 

The Senior Center is funded by the City of Mineral Wells and Palo Pinto County but their total necessary operation costs exceed their budget, so the center is always looking for ways to raise more money. In the past, the center has delivered meals to those who can’t make it there for lunch, but unfortunately, according to the programs cook, home delivery is not funded at the moment. 

“We are only open from 8am-1:30pm right now, but when we raise more funds, we may expand hours and offer meal delivery again,” said Masterson.

The center is also looking to add a few more activities to their calendar. They are searching for an arts & craft teacher who can provide an activity once or twice a month for their participants.  They are also in need of someone to run a simple aerobics class. If someone you know is interested in volunteering their time, please reach out to Alexis Masterson at (714) 658-1734.