Community Shows Their Love for Local Seniors

by Steve Gamel

It 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 every senior received a set of three. known as the Lake Cities Seniors. And Walmart donated flowers, chocolates, last month, a few selfless residents and candles, body wash, hand lotion, hand business owners went all-out in making soap, toilet paper, boxes of facial tissues, sure their elderly friends know exactly how and trash bags. Jennifer and Chris much they are loved and appreciated. Gordon at Quick Ship Mail and Business So how did they do it? Center added peppermints, sticky notes with pens, and lighted wall On June 9, each of the group’s members was pleasantly surprised at their homes with a goody “These are people who are home-bound outlet cover plates. Modern Woodmen donated a stuffed bear for each goody bag, and the Lake Cities Chamber of bag filled to the brim with and need some Commerce provided the bags everything from flowers, loving at this as well as insulated lunch bags chocolate, and insulated time.” from Daniels Air, Inc., tote bags, lunch bags to reusable and fragrant soap cubes. fabric face masks, hand soap, toilet paper, and small scented candles. All items were either donated by neighboring businesses or made by hand. “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 Helping lead the charge was the trio of were more than happy to contribute,” said Melissa Pashon Shipe, Harmony Bays, and Tina Henderson, the chamber’s president. Michelle McLaren. These three generous “These are people who are home-bound ladies made face masks and ensured 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 thenMayor 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.