COMMUNITY SHOWS
THEIR LOVE For Local Seniors by Steve Gamel
I
t has been more than four months since the coronavirus pandemic reshaped how we live, work, play, socialize, and keep ourselves healthy. Everyone has been affected in one way or another, and that includes our local senior citizens — many of whom came to rely on their weekly gatherings at Lake Dallas City Hall for games and lunch. The group we’re talking about is widely known as the Lake Cities Seniors. And last month, a few selfless residents and business owners went all-out in making sure their elderly friends know exactly how much they are loved and appreciated. So how did they do it? On June 9, each of the group’s members was pleasantly surprised at their homes with a goody bag filled to the brim with everything from flowers, chocolate, and insulated lunch bags to reusable fabric face masks, hand soap, toilet paper, and small scented candles. All items were either donated by neighboring businesses or made by hand.
every senior received a set of three. Walmart donated flowers, chocolates, candles, body wash, hand lotion, hand soap, toilet paper, boxes of facial tissues, and trash bags. Jennifer and Chris Gordon at Quick Ship Mail and Business Center added peppermints, sticky notes with pens, and lighted wall outlet cover plates. Modern Woodmen donated a stuffed bear for each goody bag, and the Lake Cities Chamber of Commerce provided the bags as well as insulated lunch bags from Daniels Air, Inc., tote bags, and fragrant soap cubes.
“These are people who are home-bound and need some loving at this time.”
Helping lead the charge was the trio of Melissa Pashon Shipe, Harmony Bays, and Michelle McLaren. These three generous ladies made face masks and ensured www.LakeCitiesLiving.com
“As the Chamber of Commerce for the Lake Cities, people come to us at different times for different things, and when we
were approached about the seniors, we were more than happy to contribute,” said Tina Henderson, the chamber’s president. “These are people who are home-bound and need some loving at this time.”
Digger Crofford, activities director for the Lake Cities Seniors, said she is
grateful for the generosity and kindness of the community toward its senior
citizens. The Lake Cities Seniors is a
group of men and women over the age of 70 who were meeting every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon at the community
center in Lake Dallas City Hall. The group, which was started 13 years ago by then-
Mayor Tony Marino, is open to any senior citizen who lives in Lake Dallas, Hickory Creek, Corinth, and Shady Shores. They play games like bingo and
Chickenfoot Dominoes and also enjoy a potluck lunch.
Unfortunately, the group has not met
in person since March. So when word
started getting around that these seniors needed some extra love and attention,
no one batted an eye. In fact, the goody bags were all delivered on the same
day and during the same time that their meeting would have been held.
“I truly enjoyed being a part of our
Lake Cities community in being able to support these seniors,” McLaren said.
JULY 2020 | LAKE CITIES LIVING | 9
