National Senior Citizens Day, which falls on August 21st each year, was established by
Congress in 1988 to celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our seniors. In 1991,
then President George Bush included the following passage in a Proclamation: “Many a poet
and philosopher has reverently described it as "the autumn of life," or the rich twilight that
eventually follows the glorious day of youth. Today, however, millions of American seniors are
changing the way we view old age. Far from fading into the sunset, these men and women are
serving as brilliant points of light in their communities. They are serving others through a host of
volunteer programs and personal acts of kindness; they are sharing their ample knowledge and
experience in the workplace; and they are quietly enriching their families with a wealth of love
and wisdom.”
Last Thursday, I had the great pleasure of attending our Senior Picnic and Health Fair, which is
one of my favorite events of the year. We created this event in Clarkstown in 2024 as a way to
give back to our senior community and it was an instant and tremendous success. The free
program features a picnic lunch and music along with a number of health and wellness vendors
offering services to seniors. The pool is open for those who wish to swim. The Town Clerk’s
office is on hand offering a number of mobile services, and many other county and state
agencies have set up booths to offer information about senior-oriented programs and resources.
I enjoy the event so much mainly because I get to interact with so many dynamic and engaged
senior residents. They are never shy about telling me what they love about Clarkstown and what
we can improve upon. I’m always amazed at how many of the attendees are still actively
involved in local volunteer work, and I leave the event full of gratitude for all they have given to
the town throughout their lives. It’s a poignant reminder of how important our seniors are to our
community.
According to the latest United States Census Bureau data, those aged 65 and over represent
20.6% of Clarkstown’s population, and 37.4% of our residents are over the age of 55. These
figures are above the national averages of 18% and 29.5%, respectively. Our annual Senior
Picnic has proven to be an extremely effective way to raise awareness of the programs and
services that are available to our seniors. One thing I consistently hear from attendees each
year is that they learned about a program or resource for the first time at the event. In many
other instances, I hear stories about how one of the agencies in attendance was able to help
them with something in the past.
The picnic is great, but Clarkstown’s commitment to our seniors goes far beyond a one-day
event. There are nine senior citizen clubs scattered across the town where members gather to
socialize, play cards, and have fun. The Street Community Center runs a drop-in lounge three
mornings a week, refreshments included, with no agenda required beyond showing up. Our
Parks & Recreation Department offers a wealth of programs and classes ranging from physical
fitness to arts and crafts. Residents ages 55 and over can obtain a free ID card for access to our
community centers, pools, and programming. These cards can be obtained with proof of
residency at the Clarkstown Parks & Recreation Department.
I’m very proud to lead a town that is committed to giving back to its senior residents, who
continue to contribute so much to our community.
