Senior games in Clayton and other portions of Johnston County will soon be expanding thanks to a generous $25,000 donation from WoodmenLife.
“This sponsorship will go a long way to increasing the quality of experience for the seniors of Johnston County,” said Clayton Parks and Recreation Community Center Supervisor Joni Hubble-Zeneberg. “It’s also going to allow us to further promote the games and expand them into year-round programs.”
According to Hubbel-Zeneberg, who also serves as local coordinator for the Johnston County Senior Games, the WoodmenLife sponsorship means increased resources for area communities to grow the Senior Games program, which currently consists of sports, arts, and health promotion programs for adults 50 years of age and older.
“We are so thankful for the donation from WoodmenLife,” she said. “Their financial support will definitely make a substantial impact on this year’s games across the county.”
Interest in supporting the senior games came after a representative of WoodmenLife attended the event last year. Seeing the effect it had on local seniors, they felt the need to contribute to the games, further supporting local seniors and the games that bring them so much joy.
“When we saw the impact this event had on the community, we knew we just had to get involved,” said WoodmenLife Sales Manager David Patterson during the check presentation. “It has always been a priority for us to give back to the communities that we work and live in, so this was just a perfect opportunity. We can’t wait to see the ways in which the games improve and expand their reach.”
Hubble-Zeneberg added that Johnston County Senior Games is a single county game featuring various athletic and artistic competitions which allows the participants to develop friendships amongst each other and spend time together outside of their local games.
The Johnston County Senior Games are coordinated by Community and Senior Services of Johnston County, Clayton Parks and Recreation, Benson Parks and Recreation, Smithfield Parks and Recreation, Archer Lodge Parks and Recreation, and Selma Parks and Recreation. The Johnston County Senior Games are one of 53 Local Games sanctioned by North Carolina Senior Games. N. C. Senior Games is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing year-round health promotion and education for adults 50 years of age and better. For more information visit www.ncseniorgames.org
Matt Lorian Clayton Parks and Recreation Acting Director
Amber Skipper WoodmenLife Representative
Spencer Owen Regional Director WoodmenLife
Eric Pilson North Carolina East Community Outreach Advisor
David Patterson Recruiting Sales Manager WoodmenLife
Celeste Purvis Selma Parks and Recreation Director
Joni Hubble-Zeneberg Community Center Supervisor, Clayton Parks and Recreation
Josh Jenson CSS & JCATS Executive Director
Timothy Messer Recreation Program Supervisor – Benson Parks and Recreation
Tiffany Pearson Recreation Program Supervisor – Smithfield Parks and Recreation