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Each year, more and more older adults are making a positive impact in and around Davie County.

As volunteers, employees, employers, educators, mentors, advocates, and more, they offer insight and experience that benefit the entire community, said Kim Shuskey, director of Davie Senior Services. “That’s why Older Americans Month (OAM) has been recognizing the contributions of this growing population for 56 years.”

Led by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) each May, OAM provides resources to help older Americans stay healthy and independent, and resources to help communities support and celebrate their diversity.

This year’s OAM theme, Connect, Create, Contribute, encouraged older adults and their communities to:

• connect with friends, family, and local services and resources;

• create through activities that promote learning, health, and personal enrichment; and

• contribute time, talent, and life experience to benefit others.

Davie Senior Services provides programs, activities and services year round.  During May, there were many ways older adults and the community could connect, create and contribute.

The month was kicked off with bingo on May 1, always a popular event.

On May 3, an early Cinco de Mayo dance was held.  Participants danced to many genres of music.

All women were honored at the annual Mother/Daughter Banquet on May 10.  They enjoyed a meal and musical entertainment by Jason Barney.

Brandi Patti presented information on skin cancer on May 13.

On May 14, a Memory Café was held.  his event was for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers to enjoy some time together.  After a pizza dinner, participants enjoyed a fun activity featuring music and movement.

On May 15, Attorney Ryan Addison presented information on Advance Directives.

May 16 was a fun day at the annual Living History Day at Mocksville Elementary School. Each year Senior Services coordinates this event, which brings heritage arts, some Davie history and interviews with older adults by the children.

The next week was a full one, with a Monthly Movie on May 20 and a seminar titled “Don’t Set Yourself Up for Exploitation” by attorney Brian Williams on May 21.

Also on May 21, the closing ceremonies for Senior Games & SilverArts was held. This was the time to celebrate all the accomplishments of Senior Games/SilverArts participants as well as hold the competition for performing arts and cheerleading.  Dinner was served.

On May 23 a Senior Dinner with a fun skit was held.

The month wrapped up with a celebration of National Senior Health & Fitness Day on May 29. Activities were set up for participants to enjoy, including bocce, pickleball, cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Yahtzee and giant Dominoes. Lunch with burgers and hotdogs was enjoyed afterwards.

In addition to all the special events, many Senior Games activities were held as well as the ongoing programs and services offered on a daily basis.

Throughout the month, Senior Services invited community leaders to connect with our older adults by contributing time volunteering for meals on wheels, serving in the daily lunch program or helping with a special event.  Many county employees, sheriff’s office staff and senior services advisory members volunteer on a regular basis. Many others responded to the call during May, including:

• serving daily lunch meal – Lee Rollins, Bermuda Run Town Manager; Gladys Scott, Senior Services Advisory member; Katy Junker, wife of Clint Junker, Davie County School Board; John Eller, Davie County Manager; Lash Sanford, Senior Services Advisory Member; Linda Leonard, Senior Services Advisory member’

• delivering Meals on Wheels – Benita Finney, Davie County Commissioner and son Brayden Finney; Peggy Evans, Senior Services Advisory member and husband Steve Evans; Sarah Blackburn with Congressman Ted Bud’s office; Terry Renegar, Davie County Commissioner; Gary Snow, Senior Services Advisory chair; Joey Reynolds, Mocksville Police Department; Jordan Paige, Davie County Intern; Steven Corriher, Town of Cooleemee;

• helping with Special Events – Peggy Evans, Senior Services Advisory member and husband Steve Evans; Robin Robbins, Mocksville Police Department; Will Marklin, Mocksville Mayor; Ronni Barney, Ms. Senior Davie County 2019; Benita Finney, Davie County Commissioner; John Eller, Davie County Manager, wife Amy Eller, and children Noah and Eva Eller; Pat Reagan, Chief of Mocksville Police Department; Stacy Moyer, Davie County HR Director; Tabatha Parrish, Davie County Elections Director; Angela Grimaldo, Davie County Intern; Jordan Paige, Davie County Intern; Priscilla Williams, Senior Services Advisory member

“Older American’s Month was a busy, fun and successful month and was a great way to celebrate how older adults in our county continue to connect, create and contribute,” Shuskey said..

To learn more about events or volunteer opportunities at Davie Senior Services, visit the Bobby H. Knight Senior Services building, 278 Meroney St., Mocksville, call 336-753-6230 or visit www.daviecountync.gov.