CITY OF NORTH CHARLESTON REACHING OUR SENIOR COMMUNITY

By Megan Boisvert, City of North Charleston Parks and Recreation

The City of North Charleston Recreation Department has a variety of activities designed to meet the programming needs of our senior community members. The Recreation Department hosts activities at four different Community Centers, the Athletic Center, and the Aquatic Center. These programs include Bingo, Men’s Coffee Club, Exercise Classes, Arts & Craft Programs, Water Aerobics, Educational Seminars, various special events, and more. “I’ve learned so much by coming to the center and I have met the most beautiful and wonderful people. The Center Director, Ms. Murphy, schedules classes which range from health and nutrition to games and crafts. She makes the center and us seniors feel so special.” said program participant, Terry Vinson. This sentiment of having dedicated staff who support and care for our senior community is shared by participants of programs at all our facilities.

In 2022, a unique partnership developed between our senior program participants and the Annual City of North Charleston Veterans Day Event. In March, the department hosted its first handknit blanket making class. Seniors from all locations were invited to join recreation staff member, LoAnn Blanchette, and learn how to make chunky blanket throws. From this class, an idea was born that we could partner with our seniors and have them create throws to be distributed at the City’s Annual Veterans Day Event.

Each year on Veterans Day, the City of North Charleston Recreation Department hosts an event to honor all those who have served in any branch of the US Military. This event typically has 300+ veterans and their families in attendance. In preparation for this year’s event, a group of seniors from all walks of life joined together to hand make twenty patriotic blankets. “We think this is a nice way to have the community come together to honor the people who have served. The seniors get to fellowship, have lunch and at the end of the day, we have these great red, white and blue blankets to share with a veteran who served our country.” says Deputy Director, Kathy Kackley.

During the event, these blankets were displayed on stage and awarded to the oldest and youngest veterans and the remaining blankets were raffled off to all the other veterans in attendance. As the blankets were awarded to their respective winners, the seniors who created the blankets helped distribute them. “Veterans need to be remembered, respected, and loved and this is one way we can show them that we do respect, love, and thank them for their service.” said one of our blanket-making seniors. The department looks forward to making this partnership an annual part of the Veterans Day event.