National Grandparent’s Day is coming up! Sunday, September 11 to be exact. This holiday originated in 1970 with Marian McQuade, a housewife in Fayette County, West Virginia. As a mother to 15 and grandmother to 40, she wanted to set aside a day just for grandparents. She felt it was important for the youth in the community to learn about the important contributions seniors have made throughout history. She also found cause for the origination of this holiday to support the lonely elderly in nursing homes. She hoped grandkids all over the nation would use this day to tap into the wisdom and history their grandparents could provide and encourage others to “adopt” a grandparent. President Jimmy Carter, in 1978, proclaimed that National Grandparents Day would be celebrated every year on the Sunday after Labor Day. Grandparents play an important role in our families, often as the central piece. They bring with them love and influence, and often our source of inspiration. They have been our caregivers, our mentors, our elders. They’ve taught us about hard work and sacrifice, and are a huge part of who we are today not only as individuals, but as a community and a nation.

On National Grandparent’s Day, we want to continue to honor their presence around the community and at Mitchell-Hollingsworth. Show your appreciation and respect for our elders who have lived and learned over the years. If you have your grandparents, thank them for their love, care, and understanding in your life. Learn about their strength and inquire information and guidance. Not only will it give you a day to honor them, but this day will provide them the opportunity to show their love to their children’s children. Some ideas we love to celebrate Grandparent’s Day can include:

• Playing board games or puzzles together; fun for young and old

• Looking through old family photo albums together; to bring back happy memories

• Encouraging story-telling; to learn wisdom and preserve history

• Constructing a family tree; giving children the opportunity to learn the ancestral line

• Taking the time to learn a special talent that can be passed on; quilting, crocheting, cooking, sewing

• Listening to old family music; a chance to sing and dance and learn meaning and origin

• And if you can’t be with them, send a card or make a phone call

There are many elders who do not have family or family that is local. There are always opportunities to show your love and support of our community elders. If you would like to volunteer your time, please stop by our activity center and speak with our director. Volunteering can be as simple as spending half an hour visiting with a resident. Filling a void of loneliness could be a great fulfillment in not only their life, but your own. We encourage you to take full advantage of this day and love on your Grandparents! You might even learn something new about them!

For more information, visit www.grandparents-day.com.