82.7 F
Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesInnovative Hosts Father’s Day Luncheon for Seniors

Innovative Hosts Father’s Day Luncheon for Seniors

Seniors are served at the Father's Day luncheon.Innovative’s interactive group, Employees on the Move, in collaboration with Project Strive Senior Center, hosted a Father’s Day luncheon for senior citizens Friday morning at the Knud-Hansen Memorial Hospital in Charlotte Amalie.

Nearly 100 seniors and staff gathered to celebrate fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers as they welcomed friends from senior groups on St. John as well as employees from Innovative and government agencies.

“We come down and let (the seniors) know we appreciate them and what they continue to do in the community,” said Michelle Johnson, vice president of marketing and sales at Innovative. “It makes you feel good to give back to the community and this is no exception.”

The volunteer club at Innovative has hosted luncheons and participated in other events at the senior center since 2005. Former vice president and member of Employees on the Move, Meutrice Huggins, said they work with the center on other activities like providing snacks for beach trips and more.

“Whatever they want they call us and we make it happen,” said Huggins.

Sen. Janette Millin Young said she was excited to see businesses working together with government agencies to bring about change and foster positive volunteer projects.

“This is what the community in action is. Government and private sectors working together,” she said.

Innovative employees first decided to volunteer at the senior center on Valentine’s Day seven years ago. According to Huggins, the group wanted to do something fun for the seniors who may not be sharing the holiday with someone.

“We decided to go to the senior center, do lunch for them, give the ladies roses and something for the men,” she said. “We danced, talked and ate food. It was absolutely phenomenal. Everyone really enjoyed it.”

Innovative’s interact group also participates in events like Relay for Life and continues to volunteer in the community in any way they can, said Huggins.

“It’s really fun,” she said. “We really love working with the seniors. We do it big ever year.”

Vernice Skeet, director of Project Strive senior citizens affairs, showed off other work the seniors have done including Christmas decorations made out of recycled phone books, picture frames made from popsicle sticks and other arts and crafts projects.

She said the program helps seniors to maintain a daily routine as they shop, spend time at the beach and even participate in exercise programs.

Director of Therapeutic Recreation Shereese Jurgen said seniors also partake in a “socio-recreation program” where they “enhance physical abilities, talk about current events and participate in socialization.”

Project Strive Senior Center welcomes senior citizens 55 years-old and above, although some must be 60 years old and above for specific programs. The center encourages seniors to join and participate in activities. Skeet noted that transportation is provided by the government.

For more information on Project Strive, call the Department of Human Services on St. Thomas at 774-0930.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Keeping our community informed is our top priority.
If you have a news tip to share, please call or text us at 340-228-8784.

Support local + independent journalism in the U.S. Virgin Islands

Unlike many news organizations, we haven't put up a paywall – we want to keep our journalism as accessible as we can. Our independent journalism costs time, money and hard work to keep you informed, but we do it because we believe that it matters. We know that informed communities are empowered ones. If you appreciate our reporting and want to help make our future more secure, please consider donating.