Having a good time with her friends and meeting new people is what Arleen Cronk says excited her the most about the first District of Thunder Bay Social Services Administration Board picnic.
The 81-year-old joined more than 400 other seniors at the event. The picnic, held Wednesday at the Canadian Lakehead Exhibition Coliseum, offered seniors a chance to enjoy themselves with music, food and live entertainment.
Some of the music was provided by students from Pope John Paul II, while students and staff from Sir Winston Church High School volunteered to serve the guests.
DSSAB received a grant of $25,000 from Development Skills Canada to cover the event. Cronk was on the committee that helped organize the event. Given that it was the first time they put on the event, she said they did a good a job.
“I think it is great and we should have it more often,” she said. “DSSAB is probably useful to a lot of people. This is a chance for people to meet people.”
Cronk said that seniors receive a lot of support but although she doesn’t need it yet, she’s glad that it is there.
DSSAB chair Bob Katajamaki said they thought it would be a nice gesture to bring in all the seniors from 13 social housing units that houses seniors and throw them a party.
“The benefits are the interaction of the people and getting know people in different buildings,” he said.
