COG Hosts Midday Senior COVID Socials
Santee Lynches Regional Council of Governments
2525 Corporate Way, Suite 200
Sumter SC 29154
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Brandy Del Rio (803-774-1996)
COG Hosts Midday Senior COVID Socials
COG hosts Midday Bingo Socials at senior centers to inform and provide outreach
SUMTER, SC –
After receiving a VAC5 grant through the S.C. Department on Aging, Santee Lynches Council of Governments sought to help better inform and prepare seniors with information about the COVID-19 vaccinations. The COG brainstormed ways to connect with the seniors in our communities and landed on the idea of Midday Senior Socials with the promise of fun times with COVID themed Bingo, the chance to win gift cards, as well as hear from representatives from DHEC on the statistics regarding the virus in South Carolina.
To better serve the senior residents of the counties of Clarendon, Kershaw, Sumter and Lee, the COG members packed bags with leaflets of information, hand sanitizer, and masks as well as a chance to congregate and ask questions pertaining to the vaccines. With COVID restrictions in mind, the number in attendance was limited to 25 to minimize the risk of exposure. Lunch was provided by Mill Street meals of Manning.
On Tuesday, September 28 at Catchall Community Center, Wednesday, September 29th at Cherryvale Community Center, Wednesday, October 6th at Delaine Community Center, and Wednesday, October 13th at Delaine Community Center from 10 to 12 the COG met with seniors to play bingo and provide some much-needed information. With so many changes because of the virus that rose to prominence in March of 2020, a return to a relative normalcy with the familiar game of Bingo was much appreciated. A member of the audience at the social held at Delaine expressed extreme gratitude for the event because, as she put it, “older folks are often forgotten.” Soon after, she led the audience in a song expressing the collective joy and appreciation.
Chief of Health and Human Services, Janae Stowe from Santee Lynches Regional Council of Government said of the events,” The COVID Mid-day Senior Social events were a success due to the teamwork and collaboration between the Area Council on Aging (AAA) and SLCOG Administration staff. Our goal was to emphasize the importance of our seniors' receiving vaccinations while having fun! The guest speaker from DHEC, Bingo, prizes, and lunch with the seniors did just that. Both the seniors and staff had a blast!”
The Grant conditions were the following: The Disseminating credible information about COVID-19 vaccines and help direct those with questions to additional sources of information; Identifying people who may need help getting a COVID-19 vaccination, including those who are unable to independently travel to a vaccination site; Helping with scheduling a COVID-19 vaccination appointment for those who need help; Arranging or providing accessible transportation to COVID-19 vaccination sites; Providing technical assistance to local health departments and other entities on vaccine accessibility; Providing personal support if needed (e.g., peer support), and Reminding the person of their second vaccination appointment if needed.
From all the socials held in September and October, the COG distributed 144 sanitizers, 516 masks, with 95 lunch plates served.