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Regional organizations working with seniors gained impetus Friday, announcing that 28 local groups will allocate $600,000 from the new seniors program.
The purpose of the program is to create opportunities to be more connected, supported and active community members.
“This will be a very useful grant for our seniors program,” said Legion 255 President Bruce Tribute.
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“It will be mainly used for entertainment and dinner for our seniors on Tuesday.
“It’s very important because we have the same seniors coming out week after week, and that’s the highlight of their lives.”
The announcement Friday came as Windsor-Tecumseh Congressman Irek Kusmierczyk stressed how funding could adversely affect improving the lives of older people.
New Horizons for the Seniors Program was established in 2004 and has since allocated $850 million.
“These are amazing organizations that do incredible work in the well-being of older people in their communities,” Kusmierczyk said.
“It’s a real partnership with organizations that care for older people and connect older people so that you can break through this isolation, which is really a scourge of communities across Canada.”
Kusmierczyk added that the programs also educate on scams and cybersecurity issues for older people, which often prey on older people.
Nandini Tirumala, director of the South Asia Windsor Program, said that keeping seniors active, healthy and out of the health care system. The South Asia Center received $20,800.
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“Every time we get a grant, it’s like winning an election,” Tirumala said. “As a charity, we make a difference here.
“These programs do support the community because there are cultural barriers for older people, so they don’t know how to get some of the support available. They keep them active and healthy and cut health care costs.”
Windsor Lawn Bowling Club earned $11,090 in revenue and will use the funds to buy new 45-foot mats to play indoors on the Fogolar Furlan Club in the winter.
“It makes our members play indoors twice a week, which makes everyone active, a lot of social activities,” said club vice president Maureen Hagman. “It’s just a good time.”
Windsor Lawn Bowling Club has 115 members, but is open to anyone who wants to come out and try the sport.
“The connection with the group, when I joined, I didn’t know the soul, and I’ve made a lot of new friends,” Hagman said. “The rest of the club said the same thing. It’s a family.”
dwaddell@postmedia.com
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