SOUTHWICK — Senior citizens are encouraged to attend a Sept. 27 meeting at the Southwick Senior Center to learn more about the “Seniors Helping Seniors” program.
“We partner with the Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School,” said Cindy Sullivan, executive director of the Southwick Council on Aging and Senior Center. “It is seniors in high school helping our senior citizens.”
Sullivan noted that the program was launched in the winter of 2019, though it took a while to get going.
Cindy Sullivan, executive director, Southwick Council on Aging/Senior Center, is encouraging town seniors to attend an informative meeting on the Seniors Helping Seniors program on Sept. 27. (LORI SZEPELAK PHOTO)
“It didn’t snow at all, and then COVID happened,” said Sullivan, adding, “We did the program in 2020 and there was a lot of snow, with a lot of barriers because of remote learning, etc., for the students.”
Sullivan added this will be the first year implementing a fall yard cleanup.
“We had about 15 senior citizens signed up and the high school usually gets 30 to 35 students,” she said. “We pair up the students and assign them to a senior.”
Students wishing to participate in the community endeavor can sign up with Vice Principal Michael Pescitelli. At press time, Pescitelli said, “approximately 20-25” students have already signed up for the program.
“We are planning this fall to have students help with yard cleanup for interested senior citizen community members,” said Pescitelli. “The times when students will volunteer will depend on the mutually agreed upon schedule/need.”
“It has been an amazing partnership and we are excited to expand this program,” added Sullivan. “Senior citizens can call the Senior Center and we will explain more of the details and there is a waiver they need to sign.”
Sullivan will detail the benefits of the Seniors Helping Seniors program at the Sept. 27 meeting, which begins at 10 a.m. The Senior Center is in the basement of Town Hall, 454 College Highway, Southwick.
“Both past and future seniors should attend if they are able,” she said.
For more information on the program, call the Senior Center weekdays at 413-569-5498.
“The purpose is to offer assistance to any senior citizen in our community,” said Pescitelli.
