Mayor Steve Black yesterday proclaimed June to be Seniors Month in Timmins.
“On behalf of the city of Timmins, I hereby proclaim the month of June to be Seniors’ Month in and for the city of Timmins,” Mayor Steve Black said.
Mayor Black pointed out that acknowledging the work of our seniors is an important part of making Timmins a strong community.
“The City of Timmins is ensuring that seniors living here continue to be a vital part of our city by implementing measures like the Age Friendly Strategy,” said Mayor Black.
“Proclaiming June to be Seniors’ Month in the city is a way of saying that we appreciate the contribution they are making and have made over the years,” Mayor Black added. “We often talk about the need for volunteers, and most of our service clubs are administered by seniors to help our community, and to showcase their activities to attract younger people to fill those roles.”
Among the seniors who were present in City Council Chambers for the proclamation of Seniors’ Month was Antoine Garwah, CEO of Science Village Timmins, who was named Timmins’ Senior of the Year on June 9, 2017.
“It’s a recognition of the contribution and work that seniors do in our community,” Garwah said. “It reinforces the community support for work that I do with Science Village Timmins in helping to educate the community, especially our young people about science.”
“The award I received really is for all the seniors and the contribution we make daily to Timmins,” Garwah added.
“It’s important to pass on the passion I have as a senior about science to young people because sooner later, they will be assuming positions of responsibility and taking over from us, “Garwah added.
Also in attendance were Florence Raymond and Gabrielle Dubé who belong to the Timmins Seniors Centre on Third Avenue in Timmins.
“I think it’s great because it brings awareness to seniors and our abilities,” she said. “We need to keep seniors moving and active in our community.”
“The Seniors’ Centre is a very busy place from September to June, it gets quieter in the summer, but we have many activities including dancing and sometimes Mayor Black drops by and has a dance or two,” said Raymond.
“I like to participate in the activities at the Seniors Centre as well,” said Gabrielle Dubé. “I think it is great that we seniors are recognized for our contribution to Timmins.”
“They do have great activities at the Seniors’ Centre,” agreed Mayor Black. “There are lots of activities and fun like dancing and I have participated.”
“They are pretty good, they even sent a dance team to the Ontario Seniors game,” said Mayor Black.
