By Kay Whatley, Editor
The 33rd annual Down East Senior Games (DESG) are scheduled for May 2-24, 2016. In preparation for these multi-city — Rocky Mount, Wilson, and Tarboro NC — senior games, fundraisers are being raised and volunteer sign-ups are underway.
To ensure event costs are properly covered, the City of Rocky Mount’s Senior Center held a fundraiser at the Rocky Mount Senior Center. Ticket sales benefited the games. The Spaghetti Lunch Fundraiser was a new event for the City. Organizers sold tickets and then on March 17, 2016, they served ticket-holders a meal including spaghetti, salad, bread, dessert, and drinks.
According to Julie Watson with the City of Rocky Mount, the fundraiser was a success. According to Ms. Watson, “We were able to raise $400 for the Down East Senior Games with sale of 68 plates. We had wonderful volunteers that prepared the meal.” She added that the meal came together beautifully and from prep to service all went as planned — great for a first-time event!
Volunteers and organizers are working hard to raise more money through fundraising this year, due to the fact that a big sponsor — who used to give the event $2,000 each year — did not sponsor the 2016 games. Funds raised will help to cover costs, and ensure participants’ registration fees are kept down.
The DESG organizers need local folks to volunteers, too. There are multiple days of events, held at locations across the area: Imperial Centre (Rocky Mount), the Rocky Mount Sports Complex, the E. L. Roberson Center (Tarboro), Recreation Park Community Center (Wilson), and several other locations. Not only are volunteers needed before the event (now), they will be needed on each day of the event.
To volunteer, call Morgan Whiteurst at 252.641.4263 or Alex Langley at 252.972.1152.
Residents of Edgecombe, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, and Wilson counties are invited to participate in the games, with several categories available: sports, literary arts, performing arts, visual arts, and heritage arts. Participants 50 and older may choose the events in which they wish to participate. Applications are available at local Senior Centers or by calling 252.972.1561.The DESG application shows registration fees plus special fees for meals, bowling, billiards, or golf. The participants receive a t-shirt, a small gift, and any medals they may win in the events in which they participate — plus two weeks of fun, exercise, friends and excitement!
The entry deadline for Down East Senior Games participants is April 1, 2016.
The Down East Senior Games is sanctioned by the North Carolina Senior Games, Inc., an organization that was established in 1983 to create a year-round health promotion and education program for adults 55 years of age and better. Each spring, thousands of people enjoy participating in a Down East Senior Games, and in other regions across NC.
Participant application forms are available from the City of Wilson NC’s website as a PDF.
