The Council on Aging helped to coordinate the event and provided transportation to those who needed it, in order to attend.  Others arrived in their own cars or car pooled. C.O.A. Director Amy Loveless was also present to help with the proceedings.  Emerson Health (formerly Emerson Hospital) granted funds to offset the costs of the food and venue.

The room was filled with the sound of lively conversation, indicating that those attending appreciated the chance to get together.

The idea for the event stemmed from the results of a survey of seniors in Maynard, conducted last year.  Those who responded listed isolation and lack of social connections as being of high importance.  Ms. Carter, who had launched the survey and interpreted the results, was instrumental in putting together the program for this morning.

Isolation and loneliness have been identified as serious issues in today's world dominated by online shopping and social media.  Seniors, especially, are vulnerable as many no longer have the connections they may have once had, either through work, through connections with parents of other school age children, or simply getting out into the community in general, due to mobility limitations.  Many grew up well before today's digital devices and networks went mainstream, in the early 2000s, so participating is often more challenging than it is for younger folks.
So, it was heartening to see an event like this brought to life by various town officials, staff, and volunteers to at least take a step to alleviating the problem!
While there myself, enjoying the free meal, (as I am also over 60!), and taking photos for this story, I decided to make a "Free Hugs" sign and offer free hugs to add to the spirit of the occasion.  I was only approached for a hug by five people, but I consider that a success.  I hope to offer free hugs at other events and I encourage others to do so as well.

Based on the latest town census, Maynard had a population of 10,585 residents as of this January. Of those, 3,282 are age 60 or older.  That's 31%, just short of a third.  A few hundred live in housing facilities devoted to this population, the rest live in apartments or private homes.  Many have outlived their spouses, siblings, or other family members, and in today's mobile society, even relatives or old friends may live far away.

If you’re feeling especially isolated, here in Maynard, what can you do?   Unless you have some kind of emergency, there is no 911 or 988 to call just for loneliness.  If you want something that’s not as much of an emergency service, but more long lasting and consistent, what are the options?

Some of us over 60 have plenty of social connections, but even then, it’s easy to feel isolated sometimes.  Many Maynard residents of all ages are aware of this situation and are interested in developing ways to help.  Enter Maynard’s emergency services, the fire and police departments, who are stepping out of their emergency roles for just this purpose.  Of course, this is just a one time event, but hopefully, it can lead to better connections that continue in the weeks and months to follow.

When it comes to strengthening a sense of community, I'm all for it.  In today's world of constant change, finding connections with each other can help us in so many ways.  I applaud our local emergency services folks for putting this together.
Clearly, when it comes to building community, the more the better.  It's easy to get together with those with whom we typically connect with, but for some people, it may seem more challenging to feel as if they belong.
The boom in social media and online that started in the mid 2000s has had a significant impact on all of us.  We now order items online, communicate using social media, and read news from websites.  This has been quite a shock to the existing ways we have socialized or shopped in the past.  I mention shopping, because, although the main purpose is to buy something needed, shopping in person has also had its social benefit. Shoppers often talk with with shop owners or those staffing the store as well as others   who happen to be there for the same purpose.
Overall, we do more things on screens and less in person, compared to 20 years or so ago.  Now, we are struggling to find a way to restore our in-person connections and build local networks of people gathering together.  This includes everyone who could benefit for more community connections, not just older folks.  At least this event is one of a number of things we can do to help.

Maynard, MA - After almost 2 1/2 years since I created Town Wide Mall and started posting news stories here, it's time to celebrate!  OK, it's 2.334 years, but who needs to wait for a nice even number, right?  (You can see the date of my very first news story listed on the News Index page, if you scroll down far enough.)
In my life, I've often started something, and once it really got going, I handed it over to others while I  moved on to start something else.  That's why I'm happy to see The Maynard Voice get off the ground.  It doesn't mean I'm quitting altogether, but as a single individual covering all the roles: reporter, photographer, editor, layout, publisher, and circulation manager (such as it is for an online news feed), I welcome the efforts of others to supplement what I do here.

So, if you're reading this, you're invited to my party, which I'm calling "Charity Begins In Town."  As I am a strong supporter of local community, and have volunteered extensively throughout my life, I thought it fitting if I invited a few local charities to join us, both to let everyone know what they do as well as invite volunteers and solicit donations to help them in their work.
But don't worry, this won't be all speeches and Q & A.  Mostly, I've arranged to have music, dancing, a buffet and beverages, along with some birthday cake.

Rather than give all the details here, I ask that you to go to the "Upcoming Events" page on Message Rain, one of my "sister sites," for the details, the time, the location, and the schedule.  It's especially important for anyone wishing to come to RSVP, using the form on that web site, so we can order enough food to be prepared for the buffet.