NATCHEZ — Members of the community made laps around the Natchez Mall Saturday morning to help members of the Senior Citizen’s Center have their cake and enjoy it, too.

The first annual Walk-A-Thon raised money for meal programs and recreational activities at the center by selling $10 T-shirts the walkers donned, program coordinator Carla Monroe said.

“Meals (at the center) cost $2.66 a day, and some senior citizens can’t afford meals,” Monroe said. “I feel like if they’re (at the center) for more than four hours, they should be able to eat.”

Monroe said there are approximately 30-40 seniors on the meal program. The funds the Walk-A-Thon raised will make it easier for more senior citizens to get on the program.

“(Otherwise, they have) to go through the state’s program,” Monroe said. “They have to go through screening process, and then they’re placed on a waiting list until eventually a slot becomes open on our program.”

Seniors at the center also enjoy crafts and games like bingo and swimming in the center’s pool — which is open year round — Monroe said, and some of the money raised will go toward funding those activities, too.

Doris Davis, 73, said she started coming back to the center nearly three months ago after taking some time off.

“Relaxing (there) is good,” she said. “I like crafts and crochet. I’ve been doing that for about 10 years.”

Davis said she felt like the program was going well.

“It’s a nice way to come out and meet people and learn more about them,” she said. “I hope to have another (event) like this next year.”

Monroe said she didn’t have an exact monetary goal she hoped to raise at the Walk-A-Thon.

“I hope to raise an abundance,” she said.

The program wasn’t put together without hard work, assistant program coordinator Johnny Elery said.

“It takes someone as aggressive and driven as Carla to get this put together,” he said. “Once she puts her mind to something she’s unstoppable.”

Members of Alcorn State University’s basketball team showed up to support the seniors.

“I’m having a lot of fun here,” said Michael Starks, a team member. “We’re doing this as a team, and it’s something positive we can do for the community.”

Luther Riley, Alcorn’s new head basketball coach, said he heard an announcement about the Walk-A-Thon on the radio.

“I thought it would be a good thing to do,” he said. “The players are getting to interact with the senior citizens, and I want to teach more than just basketball.”

Monroe said the most important aspect of the program for her is getting to see senior citizens’ smiles.

“Seniors really want you to listen to them and for you to spend time with them,” she said. “That’s what we do, and they make our day, too.”