Marks Let No One Be Alone Week with free ice cream
The Winkler Senior Centre’s Services for Seniors marked Let No One Be Alone Week with free ice cream on May 8.
Resource coordinators Cathleen Bergen and Denise Enns greeted dozens of visitors to the centre that afternoon with complementary revels and fudgesicles.
While the tasty treats were certainly a draw, it’s the message behind this year’s awareness week that Bergen hopes will stick with people.
“It’s a reminder of how important it is to spend quality time with the people we care about,” she said. “In our busy lives, it’s easy to overlook how much of a difference a few moments of connection can make … time shared with others is the greatest gift we can give.
“That’s why we do this: to give an opportunity for people to gather. I often tell people to bring a friend,” Bergen continued. “It’s about raising awareness about the significance of connection, especially for those who are experiencing isolation.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to encourage people to reflect on their relationships and take action to ensure no one feels alone.”
The senior community especially sees high rates of isolated individuals, and the senior centre’s different events and programming each month seek to give people a place to gather and connect.
“We try to do different things to reach different people—everybody has a different walk in life,” Bergen said, noting there is programming for just about every interest and concern—everything from sports leagues to health information sessions to informal coffee groups.
“This is a place where they can come to meet friends, where they can come and socialize,” she added, urging any older adult who hasn’t come down yet to check out what the senior centre has to offer to do so.
Learn more about what’s coming up at the Winkler Senior Centre online at winklerseniorcentre.com or stop by their space in the Buhler Active Living Centre at 650 South Railway Ave.