PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Paid Sponsor Partnership: Philadelphia Corporation for Aging
Older adults gathered at Lloyd Hall for a day of fun, friendship and fitness.
“We are at our 13th annual PCA Senior Strut. This is a day of health and wellness,” says Dr. Najja R. Orr, President and CEO of Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA).
“And there’s always music. The older adults that come to our events love to dance,” says Mike Drzik, Special Events Manager with Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
Line dancing helped participants ‘Step into Wellness,’ this year’s theme.
“It’s just a beautiful thing that they do for the seniors,” says Margie Witts, who participated in the walk.
The Mummers led 550 walkers down Boathouse Row.
“The walk is a half a mile down and a half a mile back,” says Dr. Orr.
Many participants come with friends from their neighborhood senior center.
Jennifer Green and Celestine Stanford belong to the Martin Luther King Older Adult Center. Stanford also brought her bulldog along for the walk.
“This is South Philly Bruno right here,” says Stanford. “I bring him every year.”
Elizabeth Richburg-Durand and Yvonne Withers are members of the Firehouse Active Adult Center.
“I just enjoy being with the ladies here and having fun,” says Richburg-Durand.
“I like to walk. I walk, like, five miles a day,” says Withers.
She says she took up walking because her legs were getting weak.
“So I had to build my muscles up,” she says.
“It’s just a nice social event,” says Richburg-Durand.
“And you meet new friends,” adds Withers.
Margie Witts came with her Hunting Park walking group called, ‘We Walk PHL’. She says they walk three times a week and are “like a family.”
“I do it for my health,” says Witts. “We do everything together.”
“The goal of today is to keep seniors active. It’s also to share and have access to health information through a number of vendors,” says Bill Conallen, Public Relations Specialist with Philadelphia Corporation for Aging.
“Pennsylvania Health and Wellness is our lead sponsor, and we also get support from Always Best Care Senior Services,” says Drzik.
Speakers give educational presentations.
“We are here for you. That is what PCA is all about,” says Conallen.
Participants get a bag lunch from Cosmic Café.
“This is a day of camaraderie,” says Dr. Orr. It’s also focusing on their health care needs.
“Having so many people come and join us for this event is phenomenal every year,” he adds. “As they say, we’re partying for a purpose.”
If you are looking to join a senior center in the city, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging urges you to call their PCA Helpline at 215-765-9040, or you can visit their website at PCACares.org to find one near you.
For more information on Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, visit: PCAcares.org
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