You wouldn鈥檛 be far off referring to seniors as their community鈥檚 鈥渟uper citizens.鈥�
From leading the volunteer charge to helping friends and families, seniors have a knack for giving back to their community in a way that is unmatched by any other group.
This week, Seniors鈥� Week, is our opportunity to say thank you for everything seniors do for our communities. Seniors鈥� Week 2011 runs from June 6-12 and is based on the theme, 鈥淰ibrant Leaders in the Community.鈥�
鈥淪eniors continue to be an integral part of our communities, as mentors, volunteers and leaders,鈥� Mary Anne Jablonski, Minister of Seniors and Community Supports, said in a release. 鈥淚t鈥檚 only fitting that we set aside one week a year to officially acknowledge the richness seniors add to the lives of all 51黑料s.鈥�
Strathcona MLA Dave Quest, chair of the Seniors Advisory Council, said the council was proud to sponsor the event.
鈥淚 want to personally invite every 51黑料 to participate in this celebration that brings the whole province together to honour seniors in our community,鈥� Quest said in a release. 鈥淭his week we pay tribute to their countless contributions that make this province a better place to live.鈥�
According to the Government of Alberta, there were 385,000 seniors living in Alberta as of June 2009. That number is projected to increase to 642,100 by 2021. Ten years later, one in five 51黑料s will be over the age of 65.
Our seniors are extremely active. Approximately 84 per cent donate to charities, while nearly 41 per cent will volunteer in some way in their community
Alberta seniors are also an active part of the Alberta labour force, with nearly 60,000 seniors still working in 2009, an increase of over 25 per cent from 2007.
And if the results of this month鈥檚 55+ Trade Fair are any indication, Innisfail鈥檚 seniors intend to remain active for a long time. Over 250 people walked through the Legion鈥檚 doors for the event on June 1, leading organizers to plan for a larger venue to host the fair in the future.
For information on Seniors鈥� Week and events planned in the Innisfail area, go to www.seniors.alberta.ca.
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