Why Give to Seniors?

Every charity is a worthy cause. So why should you choose older adults as the beneficiaries of your holiday giving? Because your grandmother would tell you to donate to the babies, or donate for the puppies.

Our grandparents, whatever their age, grew up in a different world than we did. They worked hard and raised their children to have greater horizons than they did, and many raise their grandchildren as well. My grandparents were the first generation of our family to be born in the United States. My grandmother is the mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of five. She has always considered it her duty to take care of all of us, from combing a newborn’s hair to worrying about my mother’s health over her own.

Studies show that the next generation of seniors will be even more hesitant to ask for help. As Baby Boomers edge into their senior years, many are sandwiched between their parents and their children, taking care of one and still supporting the other. More than any other generation, they want to be independent.

I am lucky to be the daughter of a straight-shooter. My mother knows what she needs, when she needs it, and how to get it. I worry about when the day will come that she is no longer able to be so clear about these things, when I need to be the one taking care of her and giving her confidence that things will be all right. Watching her care for my grandmother has given me a good example, but I know it won’t be enough.

I support Senior Citizen Services because I know my mother will always worry more about me than herself.

-- by Jaclyn Barbarow
Grants & Gifts Manager

Going for Gold

You're only as old as you feel. As a testament to the notion that you can be physically fit--and even athletically competitive--at any age, the 2010 Georgia Golden Olympics will be held Sept. 22-25 in Warner Robins, GA. The competition serves as a qualifying event for the 2011 National Competition scheduled for June, 2011, in Houston.

The Georgia Golden Olympics is for adults 50 years of age or older, and provides an opportunity for seniors to participate in an amateur sports competition, learn new leisure skills, discover that physical activity is for all ages, meet new friends, and share good times. It is an opportunity to have fun!

A variety of activities are held to make it possible for participation regardless of an individual's age or physical ability. Different age divisions and several levels of ability spread the competition out, so there is something for everyone. Athletic competitions range from the traditional, such as swimming and track and field, to those commonly associated with the over-50 set including golf, horseshoe toss, and shuffleboard. There are several dozen events in all including competitions in checkers, Frisbee throwing, racquetball and badminton. And to accommodate those confined to a wheelchair, several of the events allow participants who cannot stand the option of sitting.

Medals will be awarded for first, second, and third place in each event and age category, and participants will receive lunch, dinner, a certificate and a Golden Olympics t-shirt.

For more information, visit http://www.georgiagoldenolympics.org/.