CLEARWATER – A home is much more than where you live. Home is about the people, activities and places that matter most in your life.

For Clearwater resident Don Heard, Clearwater has truly become his home over the past 23 years. The community has given him so much, he said. Many in the community feel that Heard has given a lot to Clearwater, as well.

That relationship was on full display in December when Clearwater Mayor Burt Ussery presented Heard with the 2023 Citizen of the Year award at a city council meeting. The award was a surprise to Heard, who was visibly moved by the honor.

Heard can be found at the Clearwater Senior Center nearly every day. He assists senior center director Amber Ives in many ways. One of those ways is assisting with the monthly commodities distrubution that takes place at the center. Heard assists with preparing, and carries boxes out to everybody who comes to pick up food.

Heard has had some very rough times in his life, including spending three years living on the streets of Wichita. He then spent some time in a Habitat for Humanity home.

Twenty-three years ago, he came to Clearwater when his sister found him a place to live. Living in Clearwater, especially spending time at the Clearwater Senior Center, has helped Heard feel like he has a purpose.

“I feel good, relaxed. I love the people,” he said during an interview at the senior center.

Ives said Heard’s story is a great example of why the senior center exists.

“We have grown a lot here. We try to make sure everybody feels welcome,” she said.

The relationships at the center go beyond having close friends. At the senior center, Heard has people who look out for him. And he looks out for them, as well.

“This is a second home for them,” Ives said about the 75 to 80 people who come to the senior center each month for one program or another.

Heard was kept in the dark about the Citizen of the Year award. He was given a bogus reason about why many people from the senior center were attending a Clearwater City Council meeting together. In addition to the many people in attendance, several members of the Clearwater Police Department were at the meeting, which is not an unusual sight. But Heard had questions.

“I saw the cops and thought, ‘Oh no, what did I do?’” he said with a laugh. He then noticed his sister-in-law and brother were there.

As Ussery described the winner of the award, Heard began to realize what was going.

“They’re talking about me,” he said to those around him.

He was touched by the recognition.

“It means a lot to me. I never had something like this in my whole life, until I met Amber,” Heard said. It is clear her work as the senior center director impacts his life in a positive way.

“Amber does a lot. She cares about everybody,” he said.

Heard enjoys senior center trips to restaurants and baseball games. He attended a musical for the first time in his life.

“Since I came here, every- body really has cared for me,” Heard said.

In addition to helping however he can at the senior center, Heard attends Clearwater Church of the Nazarene and volunteers there, including helping with the winter wonderland. He helped set up 43 Christmas trees this year.

“That’s the way I was raised,” Heard said. “My mom always told me, if people need help, help them.”

The Clearwater Senior Center offers many opportunities that are designed for people age 55 and older. They have regular exercise and Tai Chi classes. There are educational opportunities each month, and regular Bible studies.

Field trips give members a chance to visit places in Clearwater and around the area. Water aerobics last summer proved popular. The book club draws a good crowd. The activities are actually open to everybody, Ives said.

The Clearwater Senior Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday. Hot lunches through Friendship Meals are offered most weekdays. For more information, call 620-584-2332 or email seniorcenter@clearwaterks.org. Additional information can be found online at www. clearwaterks.org.