Several agencies got together Wednesday to help area seniors enjoy an annual event.
In less than one hour, 35 volunteers from the Richmond County Aging Services, Richmond County Tax Office, Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Richmond Senior High School’s ROTC students help pack 1,300 bags with fruit to hand out at the 34th Annual Senior Christmas Party being held Thursday.
Jacqueline Braddock, executive director of the Richmond County Aging Services, said 1,000 tickets were given out to seniors to attend the party, and they received the fruit bags. The party was held at Cole Auditorium, on the campus of Richmond Community College in Hamlet. The remaining 300 bags will be distributed to seniors who are home-bound.
The volunteers set up one long table stacked with fruit boxes, and volunteers stood on either side. Bags were passed down the line. The job was finished in no time because of the teamwork exhibited by the volunteers.
Seniors got to enjoy Christmas at an exclusive event sponsored by the Cole Foundation, Richmond County government and East Rockingham Senior Center, and each year the event is different, according to Braddock.
“This year we got tables and chairs where seniors can actually sit down,” said Braddock. “And we’ll have coffee this year, that’s new, too.”
Braddock said the party used to have a different sponsor.
“This used to be sponsored by Sarah Lee Hosiery,” said Braddock. “I can’t disappoint the seniors so we took it over. It used to be at Browder Park but we recently moved it (to Cole Auditorium). The seniors are extremely happy with it, and can see the stage better because of the staggered seating. If it weren’t for the Cole Foundation and Richmond County government giving me funds, it would not be possible, and without the volunteers of course it would not happen.”
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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