Members of the Day-Break Club recently came together to celebrate Poe Corsey’s 99th birthday.
The Village of Amelia resident enjoyed the party as she celebrated alongside Sandra Ricciardi, vice president of the club, and volunteer Joyce Simms.
The Day-Break Club, which meets every Tuesday from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the Zimbabwe room of the Odell Recreation Center, supports adult residents of The Villages with special needs and their caregivers. The group works hard as a team to make sure those residents have equal opportunities to participate in supervised recreation activities and enjoy The Villages lifestyle, their website says.
The group also is very attentive to caregivers, as they know they basically run the equivalent of a marathon every day. Typically they are under constant stress to take care of the needs of a loved one with Alzheimer’s or a debilitating illness that is taking a toll. And it’s not uncommon for caregivers to die before the person they are caring for does, statistics show.
That’s largely why the Day-Break Club was formed. And it’s also why so many dedicated volunteers come to the weekly meetings at the Odell Recreation Center to provide assistance to those who need around-the-clock care.
“Sometimes the caregiver just needs a break,” said the club’s vice president, Sandra Ricciardi.
Those attending Day-Break meetings will enjoy trivia and memory games, exercises, a snack, karaoke, entertainment and dancing. There’s always some kind of celebration going on. And socializing, having fun and sharing good times together really are the name of the game.
The group also makes it a point to honor its volunteers for their tireless hard work to help others. And special events are held – crazy hat day, the crowning of a prom queen and king, a Kentucky Derby party and Memorial Day celebrations, to name a few – throughout the year to make meetings even more special for participants.
At a meeting a year ago, members even have had the privilege of witnessing a canine wedding, thanks to the loyal support the club receives from the Dynamic Dog Club.
Those wishing to learn more about the Day-Break Club can visit its website at http://www.day-break-club.com. The website contains a brochure and a membership packet that can be filled out and returned at any meeting. Members must be a resident of The Villages. For more information, call Ron Lessard at (603) 438-9460 or email him at Ronald.lessard@comcast.net.
