Foster takes over at GSAC manager

Photo by Randy Moll Maxine Foster is the new manager at the Gentry Senior Activity and Wellness Center. She started in the position on June 1 and is at work to expand the center’s activities and offerings and to increase the meal service program of the center.

Photo by Randy Moll Maxine Foster is the new manager at the Gentry Senior Activity and Wellness Center. She started in the position on June 1 and is at work to expand the center’s activities and offerings and to increase the meal service program of the center.

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

— The Senior Activity and Wellness Center in Gentry has a new manager. Maxine Foster took over at the Center on June 1. She replaces Jackie Bader, who was instrumental in getting the senior center started up in Gentry.

Foster was hired by the Office of Human Concern, which manages the Center for Gentry. And Foster, who has been active in the work of the Center for some time, seemed to be a logical choice.

"I've been active here and taught the PEPPI classes and health program," Foster said. "I talked to God about it," she added and felt she should "go do it" and apply for the position. When offered the job, she said she "liked the Center" and decided "to give it a try and do the best [she] can" to rebuild the Center and make it successful in serving the needs of area residents.

Her main focus is to rebuild the Center's client base and to provide more programs and activities which appeal to area seniors. The meal count and services had been in decline over the past several months.

Important to the Center's survival since funding is based on meals served is to increase the number of meals served each day. In addition to the many meals delivered each day through the Meals on Wheels program, Foster is hoping that, by providing more activities and services at the Center, the meal count will also increase, ensuring the Center's survival.

Foster said she is in need of more volunteers and drivers. Additional drivers are needed for shifts delivering noon meals.

"I need some people willing to volunteer for three hours, one day a week, to deliver meals," Foster said.

Drivers pick up the hot meals in Siloam Springs and bring them back to the Center and then deliver hot meals to seniors at their homes through the Meals on Wheels program. Frozen dinners are also available for seniors to prepare over the weekend when the hot meals are not delivered.

There is also a need for volunteer drivers to drive the Center's van and pick up seniors and bring them to activities at the Center, as well as to drive them on shopping trips, to away activities and to medical appointments. Van drivers would need to pass a U.S. Department of Transportation physical, Foster said.

Kathy Patterson, director of the Siloam Springs Senior Activity and Wellness Center, said Gentry's van needs to be put back into use serving Gentry seniors. She said it has pretty much been parked of late. She said that it was a goal of the Center to get the van going every day.

Foster said she would like to see the van used each day to give people rides to the Gentry Center and also for such things as taking seniors on regular shopping trips, to outings and dinners and to doctor's appointments. She hoped adding activities would also increase use of the van.

For more information about the Center, its services, or to volunteer, call 14797360378