A communitywide Adopt A Grandparent Day has been set for Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.
About 800 volunteers are being sought for Adopt A Grandparent, which holds a 501(3)c status. Sponsorships are also available.
Volunteers set aside one hour at either 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. to visit senior citizens in 33 elder care facilities throughout the 6-county South Mississippi region on Adopt A Grandparent Day.
This celebration of seniors and their contributions is set the day before the National Grandparents Day is observed, said Lee and Kathy Rogers of Marston Rogers Group. Lee and Kathy are founders of the event, which is in its fourth year.
“Let’s honor those who are often dishonored at a time in their lives when they should be appreciated the most,” said Lee Rogers.
Lee Rogers said it’s very important for everyone in the community to understand the need to visit the elderly, especially those residing in nursing homes. The National Center for Health Statistics says 50 percent of nursing home residents have no close relatives and 46 percent have no living children. Many seniors, particularly those in nursing homes, feel lonely and isolated. Adopt A Grandparent Day was founded in 2014 to help change these statistics.
Volunteers may sign up at www.adoptagrandparentday.org. Donations also may be made via PayPal through the website.
To become a sponsor, contact Kathy Rogers at adoptagrandparentday@gmail.com or call (228) 206-5902. Sponsorship levels range from $100 to $1,200. Proceeds are used to promote the event and purchase gift items for seniors.