As with many events this summer, the Boulder County Fair had to go virtual. So, too, did many popular fair events, and their organizers had to pivot. Senior appreciation events were among them. That didn't stop Longmont United Hospital and Longs Peak Hospital from wanting to honor local senior citizens. This year, the two organizations have collaborated to create the Senior Appreciation Drive Through event from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Friday at Westview Presbyterian Church, 1500 Hover St.
The appreciation event will undoubtedly look different than most years. Still, Renita Henson, Age Well Program coordinator and nurse at Longmont United Hospital, said it will include the signature clowns, who will be directing traffic. Seniors driving through will receive goodie bags and will be able to hear live instrumental music. Organizers have enlisted help from the church and the Longmont Police Department to keep traffic moving.
The hospitals chose Westview Presbyterian for the event because "we couldn't do it at the Senior Center because they're closed," said Julie Adams, manager for Volunteer Services, Retail and the Aspen Club at Longs Peak Hospital. "We felt we shouldn't choose one hospital over the other and didn't want to create that kind of traffic at either hospital.
"It's really cool that organizations like our two hospitals are able to think outside of the box to engage our community at this difficult time," Adams said.
Longs Peak Hospital did a drive-through appreciation event for National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) that was a success, so that helped spur the senior appreciation drive-through event.
"Both the Longmont United Hospital Foundation and Longs Peak Hospital Foundation have been a critical part of creating this event to support seniors," Adams said.
Henson said, "We wanted a way to say thank you to our senior citizens."
Adams said, "I'm excited because it's something so simple, but it gives them a chance to step out and say hello and get a treat; something to brighten their day."
There is a limited number of goodie bags, so the primary focus of Friday’s drive-thru is on members of Longmont United’s AgeWell Program, Longs Peak’s Aspen Club and the Longmont Senior Center. More information is available here; search for Senior Appreciation Drive Through.
