Celebrating Seniors: 4th Annual Summer Picnic
Celebrating Seniors: 4th Annual Summer Picnic (Photo contributed)
By Celia Dyer
Celebrating Seniors: 4th Annual Summer Picnic – Representatives from community service agencies who hosted booths at the event. (Photo contributed)
The fourth annual Celebrating Seniors Picnic was held at the Sorrento Centre on June 16. Over 140 people attended and enjoyed a fun-filled day packed with activities; even if a vigorous gust of wind did drop by for a few minutes!
Guests were welcomed by a beautiful balloon arch and draw table with over 20 prize donations. The Blind Bay Painters shared their talents in an interactive art display and the Shuswap Singers provided musical entertainment. There were games and giveaways and tables filled with picnic goodies including sandwiches, fruit trays and cupcakes made by the Sorrento Food Bank volunteers.
Many local agencies who serve seniors in our community hosted information booths. To see the breadth of service available in our area is impressive!
Celebrating Seniors: 4th Annual Summer Picnic (Photo contributed)
RCMP Cpl. Ryan Wiedenman gave a presentation on frauds and scams and how to avoid them and local knowledge sharer Kenthen Thomas had the crowd laughing and learning with his stories.
This event is coordinated by the Shuswap Community Response Network as part of our local participation in World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). Launched by the United Nations in 2006, WEAAD unites communities globally to spotlight the rights, safety, and dignity of older adults.
The BC Community Response Network is a provincial organization dedicated to preventing the mistreatment of vulnerable older adults. Our local chapter, the Shuswap Community Response Network, gathers together agencies who provide service to seniors in various ways and aims to build a coordinated response to abuse, neglect and self-neglect.
As the host agency, the Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre acts as the first point of contact for seniors, ensuring they are connected to local, provincial, and national resources to meet their needs.
The annual picnic is a wonderful way to have fun, encourage awareness of challenges facing seniors, and highlight the many agencies who are there to help.
The Shuswap Community Response Network would like to thank everyone who made the day a great success,
with a special nod to the following prize donors:
BC Community Response Network, Canadian Mental Health Association, Coconut Joe’s 2.0, EBMae Care, Frankie’s Pizza, Linda Martens, Maryann Baker - Norwex, Munro’s Sorrento IDA, SAFE Society,Shuswap Hospice, Sleepy Rabbit Thrift Shop,Sorrento and Area Community Health Centre, Sorrento Retreat and Conference Centre, and Subway.
To access services provided by the Shuswap Community Response Network or to inquire about becoming a participating agency, please contact Maryann at accountant@sorrento-centre.bc.ca
