At Eckerd College, more than 300 senior residents from Westminster Communities of Florida’s 10 communities enjoyed fun in the sun with outdoor festivities, games and fitness opportunities
ST. PETERSBURG, February 15, 2019 – With outdoor lawn games, live music and dancing, the Fifth Annual Westminster Games kicked off in the sunshine on Friday afternoon on the sunny campus of Eckerd College. More than 300 residents from around Westminster Communities of Florida, around the Tampa Bay area and throughout the state, came to enjoy a competition of outdoor lawn games and a group line dance by the residents. At the end of the day, their objective was to have fun in the great outdoors!
The Westminster Games showcase Westminster Communities of Florida’s active lifestyle, featuring their exclusive My W Life program for wellbeing of body, mind and soul. Residents enjoyed a fun and active experience today with the support of Eckerd College students and faculty, plus live music and dancing. Eckerd College students helped to put on the games and tabulate the scores, for inter-generational opportunities to learn more about seniors and their interests.
Attendees competed as teams by community in a variety of games to celebrate active living and wellbeing for seniors. The games included horseshoes, ring toss, corn hole and more.
At left, residents and staff enjoy a themed line dancing, including Pharrell Williams’s “Happy.” At right, lunch provided by Westminster Suncoast, including three sandwich choices: smoked brisket, chicken salad, and eggplant and provolone.
Mario DeLuca, Westminster Communities of Florida Director of Resident Experience, celebrated the day’s intent. “God has blessed us with another beautiful day!” DeLuca said. “All 10 of our communities are here to celebrate active living with us today. Let’s all have fun!”
Eckerd College student body President Marissa Bradley offered a warm welcome to attendees on behalf of Eckerd. “I admire the relationship that Eckerd College has formed with Westminster,” Bradley said. “It has enhanced both the lives of Eckerd students and Westminster residents alike. I speak for all the Eckerd students when I say that we are honored to host you again, and I hope you have a great time!”
After a prayer led by Eckerd College chaplain Doug McMahon, the games kicked off. Several hundred residents competed in teams to see which community would come away with the prize of first place.
In the end, Westminster Point Pleasant, in Bradenton, came in first place for this year’s Westminster Games. They were followed by second place to Westminster Manor, also in Bradenton, and St. Petersburg’s Westminster Suncoast in third place.
“There are winners, but there are no losers!” said Jim Polaski, Regional Vice President of Operations for Westminster Communities of Florida. “I hope everyone had an amazing time! Thank you all very much for coming to the Fifth Annual Westminster Games. Have a great weekend!”
Westminster Communities of Florida, the state’s largest not-for-profit provider of active senior living, emphasizes whole-person wellbeing for its older adult residents. With communities in Bradenton, Jacksonville, Orlando, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and Winter Park, the organization serves more than 7,000 residents statewide with a lifestyle featuring active living, wellness and lifelong learning.