By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN

Executive Director

LARSO

There are few things that annoy me, but one is when someone needs help and doesn’t ask for it. Then some one or some business goes into demise and no one ever knew they needed an assist.

So, I’m asking the entire community and those of surrounding communities for that assist to help senior citizens across the State of New Mexico, for years to come.

Here we are at the start of another Legislative Session. It hasn’t been often, since I arrived in New Mexico 25 years ago, that I found myself intimately involved in legislation. Now I am asking for you to be involved, too. I’ll also give you several ways to participate in the process.

At a state meeting last week, we learned that in 2030, New Mexico will have the 4th highest senior population in the nation.

So, your local senior centers are asking you to contact your state representatives and senators to say how important funding for seniors is to our state. I want to explain one of the more important pieces of funding, and then advice on how to approach it.

We need voters to ask legislators to support senior funding. One bill in particular, yet to have a bill number is sponsored by Rep. Henry “Kiki” Saavedra. The funding by Kiki Saavedra, is called, The Senior Dignity Fund. This package is worth $25 million. It is a one time ask that may allow centers to offer new services they may need but don’t currently exist.

I’m asking you to request the support, in whatever way suits you best. You can call, write or even send an email. It doesn’t matter where you live, the requests will demonstrate support for all senior citizen programs in New Mexico. If the representatives or senators are people you know, share your feelings in person. You can even send me a letter and I’ll carry the baton for you, just tell me what services you’d like to see.

ALWAYS be kind, and try to start with a compliment. You can thank them for their time, wish them luck in the session, or sympathize with how hard the next 30 days might be for them. Then for the ask, highlight a need for you personally, or something you see related to another senior. Finally, highlight The Senior Dignity Fund and thank them for their time.

Did you know, there are senior centers that don’t even have enough funding to feed their seniors. Some centers have a waiting list for their Home Delivered Meal programs. Some centers don’t even have enough staff to get the paperwork entered in the system. This isn’t just about us, but communities across New Mexico struggling to meet requirements, even for the new minimum wage.

Senior Day at the Roundhouse is 9 a.m. to noon Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Our senior center plans to take a bus for those over 60, give them a call to save you a spot at 505.662.8922. We thank you in advance for your help.