One of the greatest treasures in life is our seniors...

Yet even though they are one of our greatest treasures to often they are forgotten or neglected.  In this day and age we have moved from a relational culture where we all use to have front porches to a independent culture where our porches have either moved to the backyard or in the living room.  Perhaps it is time we got relational again?
That is what we are doing with our local seniors in town, to many have become widowed and lonely. even some don't have the proper care to cover their basic needs.  Why not come and give us a hand restoring the lives of these beautiful people.

Here is what we have been up to:

1. Adopt-A-Senior (Pilot project):  We have begun testing out an idea/vision that will help meet the needs that our seniors have communicated to us.  Adopt-A-Senior involves matching a volunteer(s) (which could be a family or a single person) that would commit to visiting a senior once a month (minimum), for at least one year.  This is an incredible ministry for any interested volunteer that not only gives back to our seniors but also receives so much more, a new friend or family member.
   
2. Social Assistance:  Through corresponding with our local health care and Seniors coordinator's we have found that some seniors in our town need help with food & clothing.  We have become a resource in ensuring those needs are met.
   
3. Monthly Entertainment Night: Once a month we come to the Sunshine Lodge and put on a show/fellowship time.  We often bring in local performers to entertain, but truly the highlight of the night is simply spending time in conversation with the residents.
4. Spiritual Needs: It had come to our attention that some of our seniors wanted more spiritual food.  In response we have organized a weekly Seniors Bible Study run by volunteers at the Sunshine Lodge.
5. Incorporating our programs to remember our seniors:  Our children's program (Pioneer Club) has for the past two seasons incorporated a field trip to the local manors where the children play with our seniors.  We want to stop the trend of forgetting our real treasures in life by revealing to our children how cool it is to hang with a senior.  It is an incredibly rewarding experience for everyone.
6. Invested in a community worker position: On our staff we developed a Part-Time community worker position that constantly is assessing the social needs of our town to ensure programs such as these exist to fill in the gaps that need attention.

---