WESTLOCK - Take a minute and thank a senior this week for all they’ve done for the community.
That’s the easy ask from Westlock Family and Community Support Services’ Maureen Schiller, the woman who’s heading up the community’s muted Seniors’ Week celebrations.
With COVID-19 gathering restrictions still in place provincewide, this year’s event has been dramatically scaled back and will see FCSS handing out 100 gift bags to seniors filled with a variety of stuff, including some special treats, Tuesday, June 8 from 10 a.m. to noon in front of the FCSS office located at 10004 – 107th Street.
“COVID has really challenged us to think out of the box and encourage people to come out and get things that they can take home with them and enjoy there,” said Schiller, noting there’ll be reserved parking in front of the office.
“We just want to make sure we recognize how important they are to our community. They’re the ones who built it to what it is today.”
It’s been a tough year for everyone due to COVID-19, but it’s been especially hard on seniors as many have been isolated from their family and friends for long stretches.
“If people see or know of a senior it would be nice for them to just to say thank you and wish them a happy Seniors’ Week. It’s a small way of letting them know how much we appreciate them,” she added.
Seniors’ Week in Alberta has run for the past 35 years, while at their May 25 meeting town councillors unanimously declared June 7-13 Seniors’ Week, with the proclamation reading in part: “ … the value seniors bring to a community is priceless as they hold our history, have valuable memories, stories and experiences that help us to look to the future.”
