If Wasilla seniors call, answer

The Wasilla Senior Center is suffering through some financial difficulties. Hours and programs are being cut back, even card rooms have been closed except during the two-hour, Monday through Friday period when the center is open. That’s only 10 hours per week the center is open for business as the staff there tries to weather the storm.

The seniors are having trouble getting to doctor’s appointments and other basic needs.

It seems unseemly that this has come to pass.

Almost everyone is challenged in these economic times, but surely we can find some spare dollars around the house or in the family budget to make a small dent in the debt. Maybe it doesn’t even have to cost money. Lots of times, time can be very helpful.

Not long ago, there was a piece on television about a retired man in another state who drives cancer patients to and from their appointments daily. He pays for the gas, so it costs those people nothing.

As a matter of fact, NBC News has a daily feature highlighting what Americans are doing to help each in the current economic crises. Free haircuts to job applicants. Free meals at diners. One car dealer sold a car for $1 to a needy family and is challenging his compatriots across the country to do the same.

There is something all of us can do to help the Wasilla seniors out of their fiscal dilemma.

With summer approaching, teenagers will be looking for jobs. But some might consider volunteering at the center or other places that serve seniors. College administrators look at all facets of a prospective student’s life. A summer selflessly helping a community looks pretty good on an application. Or a scholarship form. In the long run, It could pay more than a summer job

This community typically helps high school students raise money for trips far and wide.

It’s only fitting that the community step in to help out people who have already proven their worth to this community and probably others.

In an effort in that direction, the seniors are having a phone-a-thon April 23. They will be asking for your help. For $8.50 your can feed a senior for one day. Of course, if you would like to help out a little more, that would be a fine gesture.

So, if the phone rings at your house on April 23, and a resident from the Wasilla center is on the other end, listen, care and help out.

They will tell you how to donate. But beware, now scammers who can read know this is about to happen, so have your antennae up.