May 9, 2024
Many woke up this morning and started their days with a cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast and headed off to work. While I did start my morning with a hearty breakfast, and I hope you did too, I did not head off to work. I headed off to meet my classmates at North Broadway United Methodist Church.
We arrived at the church in our red scrubs (Go Bucks!), bright eyes (thank you caffeine and a 9 am start time), and big smiles (again, thank you 9 am start time). We were eager to help and were put to work preparing food for the guests that were soon to arrive.
Prepping fruit salad (yummy, yummy!)
Entrusted with sharp utensils, we prepared salads (fruit, spinach, romaine) and chopped vegetables for roasting. We washed dishes and busied ourselves by continuously asking “How can we help?”. When the food was prepped, we made our way to the hallway to join our fellow volunteers, the Clinton Elementary fifth grade class, in welcoming our guests: senior citizens of the Clintonville and Beechwold neighborhoods. Today’s special event: brunch (yum!).
We joined a crew of fifth graders in greeting each guest as the entered. The warm welcome consisted of saying “Welcome to Sunday Brunch” with enthusiastic jazz hands queued by the word “brunch”. Many giggles were shared during the welcome process.
Greeting guests *jazz hands*
Following the warm welcome, we made our way to the main room and took our positions to serve food to the beautiful guests. Many of us served meat, rice, vegetables, salads, and fruit while the fifth graders served dessert and assisted guests with carrying their plates. Our guests enjoyed their meals, listening to a performance by the Dominion Middle School orchestra, while we took time to chat with the other volunteers and event organizers about the event and its importance. From this we learned about the wonderful goals and mission of the organization hosting this event.
Brunch is served!
Hosted by the Clintonville Community Resource Center (CRC), the monthly senior brunch provides an opportunity for socialization and community for senior citizens in the local area. In addition to the monthly brunch, the CRC provides transportation for seniors to/from the event. The CRC’s involvement in the community does not stop with brunch. Senior citizens are also welcome to utilize the CRC for its range of services: weekly grocery trips, transportation for medical appointments, monthly breakfast club, home visits and personal assistance, and health-related or safety-related maintenance.
The CRC is addressing a public health concern regarding the effects of isolation and inaccessibility to resources for senior citizens. Sustainable Development Goal 10.2 states that “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status”. The CRC serves the senior community regardless of social, economic, and political affiliations and aims to reduce the rapidity of dying by promoting socialization of people of various ages.
Today’s event was such a beautiful representation of inclusion of all: the fifth graders serving, the middle school orchestra performance, the volunteers, the coordinators, and the lovely guests. People left with full bellies and large smiles, and it was such a beautiful “aha moment” to witness the blend of people of all ages, working together to care for one another and sharing kindness and smiles. It was a beautiful event to be a part of and I believe that many of us are eager to return and continue to serve our community in this manner!