On Feb. 18, United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) hosted its first Senior Day of Action at multiple locations across the Lehigh Valley.

Thirty-one multigenerational volunteers and AmeriCorps VISTAs spent President’s Day morning lending a hand at Big Brothers Big Sisters Lehigh Valley, Valley Youth House Maternity Group Home and Lehigh Valley Children’s Center. The event is one of several planned for the year with the goal of engaging older adults in the community.

“Volunteering is good for both your mental and physical health,” says Carmen Bell, Director of Healthy Aging at UWGLV. “It helps to reduce stress and depression and isolation. And so we encourage the older residents of our community to stay connected and engaged.”

Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley coordinated the volunteers and locations. Volunteers aided in crafting party favors for an upcoming Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser. Participants at Valley Youth House refreshed the maternity rooms with a fresh coat of paint and volunteers at Lehigh Valley Children’s Center (LCCC) participated in activities with kids such as stretching, dancing and singing. Volunteers at LCCC also cleaned classrooms and toys.

Congresswoman Susan Wild and State Representative Michael Schlossberg took part, helping with preparations for the Big Brothers Big Sisters bowling fundraiser. Each assisted by cutting and attaching pin-wheel shaped construction paper to lollipops, which will be given as favors for the fundraiser. They also spent time visiting with organization employees and the volunteers.

Avoiding social isolation among older adults and integrating seniors into their community is a priority of Age-Friendly Lehigh Valley and UWGLV. Some 26,000 seniors in Lehigh and Northampton counties have difficulties meeting their own basic needs. Senior Day of Action was designed to help seniors stay active and healthy, and is a step in the Age-Friendly initiative to fight ageism. Through this and similar events, older adults can stay engaged in the community and interact with others, thus avoiding the perils of social isolation.

“Yesterday, new friendships were formed,” Bell said. “New connections were made and we’re just so grateful to all who gave their time and energy to assist a few of our local organizations with projects. And we are also thankful for the partners who provided the opportunities for us to be of service.”

With growing numbers and the organization’s need for increased support, UWGLV hosts a very successful VISTA program. Senior Day of Action was the first collaboration between UWGLV’s Healthy Aging and VISTA programs. For the last nine years, the VISTA program has aided in supporting the education work of the organization.