Bridging the Gap

It's Friday at noon. Do you know where your children are? I found some of them surrounded by police, and it was a great thing! There is a project happening in our community that is definitely worthy of your awareness. In November, 2007, a committee called Les Amis des ainées de Mont-Royal was formed. Its goal amongst members, all of whom are affiliated with organizations that deal with the elderly, is to optimize the well-being of our community's senior citizens.

This first project that the Table de consultation has embarked upon has as its goal the notion of bridging the generations between our youth and our seniors through an activity. In January of 2009, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe will be staged at Carlyle School, and will be attended by the students and TMR seniors. After the performance, the students will enjoy a pizza lunch served by our seniors, who will also gift the students with a plant, and together, they will nurture these plants over a long-term period. In May, the students will invite the seniors back for tea. As well, Officer Marie-Pier Boucher will hold a series of discussions raising practical awareness in the students about the vulnerabilities of the elderly. Bonding and empathy is the ultimate goal. In order to fulfill this project, funds had to be raised.

So this is where the police, the seniors, the youngsters, and a dedicated team from the Committee all merge together. Last Friday, a fundraiser lunch was held at Town Hall. This hearty lunch of beans, sausages, fresh buns, salad and dessert was jam-packed. The police organized the food, navigated by Officer Lyne Aidans, the service and prep with Jan Lauer from the Recreation Centre at the helm, aided by Suzette Clément (Volunteer Centre), Joan Clark (Meals-on-Wheels), Rosemary Chabot (Town Adult Centre), and the students were mobilized by a most dedicated gem of a teacher, Lyne Clément.

Commandant Vincent Richer introduced the event and explained the whole project to the guests, while Assistant Director (North Region), Marc Parent, gave words of support. Mayor Vera Danyluk was present to deliver some opening words of respect and encouragement for both the committee's intent and for the youngsters participating. Then the festivities began.

Nine students represented Carlyle School, and they efficiently and joyfully served the waiting feast to the roomful of attendees. These students certainly proved their talents as well as their capabilities in multi-tasking; simultaneously the guests were treated to a Tabla percussion demonstration, and then were amazed by the talents of two young students who performed East Indian dance. I spoke with one of the student participants, Jennifer Le, a sixth grader who was completely enthusiastic about the whole project. She is looking forward to it, and understands the importance of maintaining contact and assisting seniors, as she has witnessed her own grandparents' need for a little extra help and attention at this stage of their lives.

Many of our uniformed best from Station 24 attended the event, including their big bear of a mascot, Flik. Smiles filled the room, and in the air, the beginning of something important. Our seniors built this wonderful city that will one day be handed over to the young people of today. Bridging the gap between our young people and the generation that will become an overwhelming demographic over the next era seems essential, and there are concerned citizens working hard to do that. How about you?

Send me your news! (lolalivesforever@hotmail.com)