Adopt a Grandparent Day is in its fourth year in south Mississippi, a day set aside for volunteers throughout the community to pay their respect to senior citizens.
Kathy Rogers, founder of Adopt a Grandparent Day, said many nursing home residents have no close relatives and or are without living children. To keep them company and boost their morale, Rogers asks the Pearl River County community to volunteer and spend time listening to the stories of senior citizens at the Senior Center of South Pearl River County.
Adopt a Grandparent Day is Sept. 9, but registration should be completed as soon as possible, Rogers said.
Last year, more than 600 volunteers visited 32 nursing homes in Harrison, Hancock, Jackson, Stone, George and Pearl River counties, involving volunteers ranging from high school students to other senior citizens not residing in a nursing home.
“It’s a little bit of effort that goes a long way for these seniors. They all have amazing stories to tell, but no one to tell them to. All the volunteers always enjoy going to this and we hope to get even more this year,” Rogers said.
The goal for this year’s Adopt a Grandparent Day is to have over 800 volunteers across the six counties, she said.
The deadline to register was extended to September 5.
Anyone unable to volunteer because of time restraints can still contribute to the senior citizens of the county by making a donation or sponsoring the event. The tax-deductible contribution will help fund the contents of gift bags for the senior citizens and other aspects of the event. The amount of funds collected prior to the event will determine what activities will take place on Adopt a Grandparent Day.
To donate, visit www.adoptagrandparentday.org.
Rogers said she is still accepting sponsorships from local business through next week. Sponsors will have their logos printed on the Adopt a Grandparent Day T-shirt.