KINGSTON, Jamaica — Senior citizens from clubs all across Jamaica came together for an afternoon of fun, food and fellowship in celebration of National Grandparents Day.

The third annual staging of the event was held on Sunday, September 21 at the Verandah at Juici Patties Empowerment Park in Clarendon.

It was organised by Juici Patties in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC).

During the day, the seniors were treated to cocktails and a scrumptious meal and were kept dancing to musical selections from genres spanning the 1960s, ‘70s and ‘80s.

They told jokes and riddles and vied for prizes for having the most grand and great-grandchildren. There were special gifts for the oldest male and female grandparent.

Chief Technical Director in the ministry, Audrey Deer-Williams, said National Grandparents Day is aimed at promoting active, healthy ageing.

“Every year, when we host Senior Citizens Month [in September], we live that and ensure that they know that there is so much more to contribute. They have already contributed but they can still contribute more. They are our historians and the keepers of our culture, which is so important,” she noted.

Deer-Williams said the Government appreciates the country’s seniors and continues to put measures in place to ensure that during their golden years, they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“We have been doing this event for at least 45 years, since the inception of the NCSC in the ‘70s and from then, every year, we have programmes to encourage our seniors. We know when they get older, they are lonely and that impacts them negatively. So, we have things in place to keep them happy. We will always continue doing this,” she said.

Custos Rotolorum for Clarendon and Director of Juici Patties, Edith Chin, said she was pleased to host the event and have the young employees cater to the needs of the senior citizens and learn from them.

“When the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the National Council for Senior Citizens (NCSC) presented the opportunity for us to collaborate, it was something that we welcomed. We are very thankful for the opportunity… to cater to our seniors. They can come, relax, enjoy, socialise and have a grand time,” she added.

The custos expressed gratitude to the seniors who have not only served the country but have left a legacy for the next generation to build on.

— JIS