By Staff Reporter
The Rotary Club of Georgetown provided over one hundred and fifty elderly citizens from several senior citizen homes in Georgetown with an exceptional breakfast and lunch, an entertaining program of carol singing, nostalgic songs and a visit from Santa loaded with gift hampers, Sunday.
For the annual event, the seniors were picked up by members of the Rotary Club using their private vehicles, taken to the Georgetown Club, entertained and then given return drops to their homes when it was over..
The program for the annual Christmas party for seniors by the Georgetown Rotary Club, had started with prayers by a representative of the Muslim faith Brother Nunaf Azeez, a representative of the Hindu Faith Pandit Aditya Persaud and a representative of the Christian Faith Father Compton Meerabux.
The Rotarians ensured that a great day was enjoyed by the seniors and the spirits of their guests were so lifted that many of them took to the dance floor.
A few days before the party on Sunday, Georgetown Rotarians had visited citizens at eight senior citizens homes and had cut their hair,fashioned hair styles, given them facials, pedicures and manicures and cosmetics , much to the delight of the beneficiaries.
President of the Club Mr Devindra Kissoon said: ”This sort of support for our seniors is very helpful for their self- esteem. You know they look good; they feel good. They feel treasured. They really appreciated our visits and the pampering they received.”
He added : “A spin off of those visits to those homes is that our members have been able to gauge their needs. Stuff like thermometers blood pressure machines, even some infrastructural needs like new washrooms, cupboards and so on. So you know Georgetown Rotary Club is not just about giving support for the elderly in an ad hoc way, it’s about understanding what they need so that we give them right thing or things.”
A Special Guest at the Georgetown Club party Sunday was Ms Zorie DeMattos 108 years old who was born in January 1915 at Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara.
Miss DeMattos has been a resident at the Palms for the past fifty four years .
She had spent her earlier years at a Convent and at the moment enjoys full cognitive ability.
Christmas hampers for the Georgetown Rotary Club 2023 annual Christmas party for seniors had been donated by businesses Desinco and Kirpalani.
Mr. Kissoon expressed heartfelt thanks to the donors.
He added that the needs assessments by Georgetown Rotary Club for continued support to the elderly is ongoing and sponsorships by well wishers for this cause will be welcomed and appreciated
