Halloween Zumbathon® for Meals on Wheels slated for Saturday, Oct. 28
October 11, 2017
Zumba® instructors from across the Midlands are joining with the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission (ICRC) to dance in the Halloween Zumbathon, a charity event to benefit ICRC’s Meals on Wheels Program. The annual event, in its fourth year, will be held 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, Oct. 28, at Seven Oaks Park, 200 Leisure lane. Tickets are $10. Tax-deductible donations also can be made to purchase meals. Childcare will be provided and there is a prize for best costume.
Kim Bowers, senior services manager at Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission manages the Meals on Wheels program and sees the benefits that it provides. He says, “Since 1980, it has been the goal of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission to serve seniors within their district in ways that enable them to live happy, productive and independent lives. One of the ways we reach this goal is by offering healthy and nutritious meals to seniors. We are proud to continue to bring this important service to our community.” In 2016, ICRC provided nearly 26,000 meals to seniors in its district.
Tammie Epps, local Zumba® instructor who spearheads the event with Bowers and the strong network of instructors, believes in its mission. “I’m honored that our Zumba® family—instructors and enthusiasts—continue to reach out to help our community. As much fun as this event is, we know that it provides not only an extra meal but also companionship to our older adults. We would never want to see anyone go hungry and the threat of hunger becomes as problem as we age.”
Epps is right about hunger being a real issue for age 60 and older. According to the National Council on Aging, millions of older Americans are at risk for hunger. In 2014, 10.2 million older Americans faced the threat of hunger, representing 15.8 percent of adults aged 60 an in the U.S. In addition, in a randomized, controlled trial commissioned by Meals on Wheels America, a Brown University public health researcher found that home-delivered meals provide both health and psychological benefits to seniors beyond basic nutrition.
To support this event, community members can purchase tickets or purchase meals, at http://www.icrc.net/support-our-parks. For questions, call Seven Oaks Park at (803) 772-3336.
