Silver Fox Senior Social Club and Elden Elementary School have received the Outstanding Intergenerational Program award from the Onondaga County Department of Aging & Youth.
“We are so excited,” said Becky Kishtok, executive director of Silver Fox.
Nominated by a member of the community, the award recognizes the effort that both facilities make to foster a connection between the younger and older generations.
“This prestigious award honors the seniors, the students and staff members for making the commitment to establish and maintain a connection between generations,” Kishtock said. “[It] showcases a program where two different generations interact, share stories, have fun and learn about each other.”
The award specifically recognizes an Easter/spring tea hosted by the Fifth-grade Principal’s Council in which the seniors at Silver Fox visited Elden Elementary. Under the guidance of Principal Tony Cardamone and administrative intern Dana Ziegler, students planned and coordinated the event, at which they served coffee and tea, decorated cookies with their guests and gave the social club members a tour of the school. Members of the school’s band and orchestra also provided musical entertainment for the tea.
“The exchanges between these two generations are heartwarming to witness,” Kishtok said.
The Department of Aging & Youth will also honor Matthew Pond, a senior at Baker High School, with the Intergenerational Volunteer Youth Award. Pond is being recognized for his volunteer work with St. Joseph’s Hospital. For his Boy Scout Eagle Project, he created activity boxes to keep the hospital’s dementia patients busy and occupied, which helps to ease the nursing staff’s workload.
The Department of Aging & Youth will host a ceremony on Thursday, May 17, in the Empire Room at the New York State Fairgrounds to recognize award recipients.
Silver Fox Senior Social Club is located at 22 East Genesee St. in the village of Baldwinsville. For more information, call 635-5335.
