Local volunteer Anita Catron has a heart for seniors.
Catron began the once-a-month potluck supper at the Iola Senior Center about eight years ago. She and her sister, Sherry Jones, brother, Jerry Jones, and daughter, Angie Nash, provide the meal — and entertainment — to anyone over the age of 50. Catron and her family prepare the main entree and visitors may bring a dish to pass. This month’s entree is fried chicken. Entertainment varies month-to-month, she said, but usually includes either country or gospel music. The event takes place at 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of the month.
“Just a good get-together for everybody,” Catron said. “It lets people see what the center is like.”
Catron has felt drawn to senior citizens since her mother died 10 years ago. She said she wished she could have done more to help her mother before she died. She has turned that regret into a positive direction by helping the senior generation.
Three days a week she helps with lunch duties, but that is not all that Catron does. Almost two years ago, with seniors in mind, she purchased a five-passenger van to transport them to parks, outings, medical appointments and stores as needed. Recently, she met a woman who said she intended to cancel an appointment for cancer treatment because she could not drive to Kansas City.
“That’s when I told her I would take her up there,” Catron said.
Often it is for entertainment purposes that she loads up the van.
“Sometimes we just go out to A & W and have floats,” she said. A few years ago she took a group of seniors to Fort Scott Jubilee.
Catron, 60, said she enjoys the older generation’s values.“This generation of people is awesome and I have learned a lot from them.”
Most of her friends are between 80 and 90 years old.
Catron said ensuring that these seniors have a ride to appointments and a way to get out of the house gives her a sense of purpose and all the motivation she needs to keep it up.
Catron said though she suffers from COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the transportation service is something she is able to do.
“There’s a lot of people in need,” she said. Catron said she feels compelled to reach out to senior citizens living in Garnett, as well.
Catron said she encourages anyone who needs a ride to call her, but makes clear she is not a taxi service. There are limits to the type of trips she is willing to make.
“Serious rides,” she said. “If someone needs cigarettes for example, I am not willing to do that.”
Any senior needing a ride may contact her at 913-594-1696.
