LAURINBURG —The Scottish Pilot Club of Laurinburg held a luncheon to celebrate some unsung heroes — caregivers
The Scots Care for Caregiver lunch was held this week at Prestwick Village.
The club was able to host the event with a $250 matching grant and in collaboration with Scots for Youth, Prestwick Village and the Laurinburg Police Department.
The caregivers who were recognized were the family members who help regularly care for the elderly residents at Prestwick.
The project also gives Scots for Youth, a local nonprofit agency serving youth at-risk, an opportunity to help others and interact with law enforcement in a volunteer capacity.
Around 100 residents and their caregivers came out at the lunch that featured refreshments, finger foods, and bingo. There were gifts for the winners of bingo and the caregivers were given a small memento to take home with them to thank them for what they do.
“When the grant came out I thought it would be a good way to blend it all together,” said Stephanie Johnston, a pilot club member and grant writer.
Raken Davis, a 16-year-old from Scots for Youth, thinks the events help the residents and he likes volunteering.
“Just to take time spend the day with them because they might feel like they don’t have anyone who cares for them,” Davis said.
Rebekah Chandler-Marquez, the activities director, said that the event helps both the residents and the caregivers. Since many times they feel overlooked.
“Having people from the city take time out of their busy days means a lot to them,” Chandler-Marquez said.
Police Chief Darwin “Duke” Williams called the event an important since it show appreciation to the caregivers who usually don’t receive recognition.
“It’s a day to give thanks to the caregivers here at Prestwick and let the residents know they’re appreciated and that they matter,” Williams said.
Williams said that he understood the commitment and love involved with caring for others after caring for his mother for 10 years and that he is grateful to the Pilot club for what they’re doing.
“It’s good to see the Pilot club being one of the local all-female clubs being involved in the community,” Williams said.
Since 1977, The Pilot International Founders Fund has supported community-based work of Pilot Clubs in the areas of preparing youth for service, encouraging brain safety and health and supporting those who care for others
The Scottish Pilot Club of Laurinburg is a member of Pilot International which is a community-based volunteer service organization founded in 1921 on the guiding principles of “friendship and service.” For the past twenty-seven years, Scottish Pilots have been serving Scotland County.
“It’s about helping others and this focuses on the caregivers of the residents of Prestwick Village,” Tyson said. “Together everyone achieves more.”
For information about the Scottish Pilot Club contact Dorothy Tyson at 910-280-6752.
