If I donate a dollar to United Way, what percentage of that dollar goes to overhead and what percentage of that dollar actually goes to the charity?

Only a small percentage of individual donors’ dollars go to cover overhead expenses, according to Denise Durel, president and CEO of United Way of Southwest Louisiana.

She said “corporate cornerstone” donations from area companies “make up 97.36 percent of our central services budget.”

“Every year we strive to have 100 percent of it covered by a corporate cornerstone gift,” she wrote in an email.

• Online: www.unitedwayswla.org.

Senior center to move lunch to large room

Why were the people who eat lunch at the Sulphur Senior Center moved from a large room to a small room? The move has caused overcrowding at lunchtime.

The meal, moved to accommodate greater demand for the center’s services, should return to the large room by Monday, said Jackie Green, executive director of the Calcasieu Council on Aging, which oversees the Sulphur Senior Center, 601 Maple St.

When the venue was switched, officials were serving meals to only 12 or so people, but the number has since grown to just over two dozen, causing some minor overcrowding, Green said.

“It’s a great problem,” she said. “Because the more people that eat, the better.”

She said the initial move was “a must-do” because the large room was needed for arts, crafts and other activities — which can involve up to 80 people at a time.

Senior center and CCOA staff will begin making preparations for the move today, Green said.

Whenever the large room is needed for other events, lunch will be served in the small room, she said.

For more information on services for senior citizens, call the CCOA at 474-2583.

• Online: http://calcoa.org.

Autry, born in 1907, died Oct. 2, 1998

What year was Gene Autry, “the Singing Cowboy,” born, and when did he die? How old was he?

Autry, born on Sept. 29, 1907, died on Oct. 2, 1998, at the age of 91.

“Autry is the only entertainer to have all five stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one each for Radio, Recording, Motion Pictures, Television, and Live Theatre/performance. …,” reads a page at GeneAutry.com.

“Among the many hundreds of honors and awards Autry has received were induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame; the American Academy of Achievement Award, the Los Angeles Area Governor’s Emmy from The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences; and the Board of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Achievement in Arts Foundation.”

• Online: http://www.biography.com.

The Informer answers questions from readers each Sunday, Monday and Wednesday. It is researched and written by Andrew Perzo, an American Press staff writer. To ask a question, call 494-4098, press 5 and leave voice mail, or email informer@americanpress.com

(mgnonline.com)