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“It is very fun. It’s a great way to spend time with peers,” Carmen Wilhoit said of the Community of Christ senior citizen group.

The idea for the group grew from a collaboration about a year ago. The Trimble mayor, Terry Banks, was looking to begin a new social group in Trimble, Wilhoit said. Banks approached Tony Martinez, a volunteer at the church about the idea.

“The church was also looking for an opportunity to help the community,” Wilhoit said.

The first group gathering consisted of a few people at a community center in Trimble. When Community of Christ moved from its old Trimble church building to its brand-new building at 19400 N. U.S. Highway 169 (just south of Missouri Route W), the group began meeting in the new church.

Two Tuesdays a month, anywhere from 20 to 45 people gather for lunch, followed by bingo or entertainment. Smithville High School’s band once served as entertainment. Another time, Nashville musician Richard Mekdeci came free of charge, thanks to some help from local promoter Richard Lowe, who drives his mother, Helen Lewandowski, to the gatherings.

Wilhoit has never sat next to the same person twice during the gatherings as a way to get to know everyone.

“This really has been a blessing for me,” she said. “Since I retired, I had been looking for more ways to get involved in the community.”

For now, the church funds the group’s meals. And volunteers, including Wilhoit, help prepare the food. It is hoped that in the future, a collection will help pay for the lunches, Wilhoit said.

Group members communicate about area seniors who are sick. As a result, those in the group deliver meals to the ill seniors who can’t attend. They send cards, too.

“We can really help each other through this group,” Wilhoit said. “This group has been able to draw attention to the needs of others.”

THE DETAILS

The senior citizen group is looking to add new members. For more information, contact Carmen Wilhoit at 830-5900 or Ronnie Pagat at 873-3323.

Smithville Editor Nancy Hull Rigdon can be reached at 532-4444 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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