It was a devastating blow to the senior population in Lawrence County four years ago when a levy to support senior services and programs was defeated at the polls by less than 100 votes.

That levy would have brought in $800,000 a year for the county to keep current senior programs at full capacity, fund the county’s two senior centers and a Meals on Wheels program, as well as add new seniors centers in other parts of the county.

Instead, the levy’s defeat, as well as a reduction in state funding, resulted in the closure of Burlington’s Sybene Center.

That meant seniors on the eastern end of the county had to travel to downtown Ironton if they wanted congregate meals, activities and socialization, which is easier said than done for those who didn’t have transportation.

Thankfully, two years ago, a new center was opened in modular units at the Chesapeake Community Center and seniors and those who organize events there just celebrated another anniversary.

That’s thanks to the county leaders and community members who realized that Lawrence County’s senior population is too important to be forgotten.

Time and again, research has shown that older adults who participate in senior center programs have an increased quality of living and experience measurable improvements in their physical, social, spiritual, emotional and mental well-being.

It is only right to continue to care for those who first took care of us by giving them a way and a means to stay active, healthy and happy.

We commend all those who are actively involved in Lawrence County’s senior services and hope to see those services continue to grow.