WS Chronicle

Photo by Bridget Elam

BY BRIDGET ELAM 

FOR THE CHRONICLE

The Magnificent Seniors Social Club held its annual Charity Ball event on Saturday, March 11 at the Hawthorne Inn.

The main purpose of the social club is raise money for those in need in the Forsyth County area.

“It makes your heart joyous to be able to give back,” said Leo Adams, the club’s founder and president.  “We are trying to make a difference in our community.”

The event began with a prayer by Rev. Clarence Cox III, the pastor of Hanes Memorial C.M.E. Church, which was followed by the presentations to Hospice and Palliative Care Center and Whole Man Ministries.

Vice President Lillie Love presented the donation to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center to Don Timmons, Regional Community Partnerships coordinator.  This year the Magnificent Seniors were able to donate $1,500 to Hospice, the highest donation since the group’s inception of the charity ball.  In addition, the group gave $500 to Whole Man Ministries to help with a housing project for homeless veterans.

“We have really grown over the last four years,” said Love.  “This year we were able to get more cooperation from individuals and extend our charity to other organizations.”

Superior Court Judge Todd Burke also attended and spoke of his first “encounter” with the social club.  He “ran into” the group one afternoon after seeing them gathered at a local grocery store.

“I hope this is the beginning of an ongoing relationship,” said Burke.

After presentations, party-goers were served a buffet-style dinner catered by the Hawthorne Inn and danced until midnight.

The Magnificent Seniors social club was founded in 2013.  The first year they donated $500 to Hospice.  In the second and third years, they donated $1,250. According the Oshia Reid, the group’s treasurer, that’s what makes this year so special.

“This is the most we’ve been able to donate,” said Reid.  “Next year, being our fifth year, we will be better and bigger.”

The group hopes next year’s event will be doubled or tripled in the size of attendees and donations.

“We will probably have to rent a bigger space for next year,” said Love.

The Magnificent Seniors Social Club is a nonprofit organization and strives to provide fun and social interactions for seniors, while raising money for seniors that are in need in Forsyth County.  People must be 55 years old or older to become a member.

For more information about the Magnificent Seniors Social Club, con-tact Doretha Shannon at 336-650-1731 or Janet Adams at 336-724-6762.