Thursday night’s decision to cancel activities and events at the Emporia Senior Center was the latest difficult decision for Director Ian Boyd this year.
Coronavirus has caused Boyd and the Senior Center Board to take several uncomfortable steps to keep seniors safe, including cancellations and reduced access to the building at 603 East 12th. Because bingo — the center’s biggest fundraiser by far — as well as smaller fundraisers, rentals and the Christmas Gala have all now been canceled, Boyd says the Senior Center is “cash-strapped.”
The Senior Center has physical needs, including the recent replacement of a handicapped-accessible door, and COVID-19 cleaning expenses have increased greatly.
6 am Friday: Emporia Senior Center cancels activities until further notice
Shortly after Lyon County commissioners passed a new public health order limiting mass gatherings and mandating mask usage in many settings, the Emporia Senior Center announced it is canceling and suspending all activities and events until further notice.
Director Ian Boyd says this reflects the rapid increase in cases over the past week as well as the revised countywide health order. This also expands on the Senior Center’s decision late last month to cancel activities through the end of the calendar year.
Residents needing services from Hermes Healthcare can still get those, but they must call Hermes directly at 316-260-4110. Residents needing information about Friendship Meals as provided by the Friendship Center need to call 340-8001.
Boyd says the Senior Center is closed to the general public, although staff and volunteers are available weekday mornings and by appointment. If you have questions, call 343-3160.
