Age Strong, Live Well: Range Resources Supports the 2017 Senior Games
Range Resources employee Melissa Shaughnessy with former Washington
County Commissioner & Senior Games participant Bracken
Burns
Maryjane Stewart (second from right) with the Chartiers
Township ladies at the Senior Games
Range Resources at the 2017 Senior Games
It may not be a veritable fountain of youth, but research has shown that regular exercise has significant anti-aging benefits that can actually make your body “younger” on a cellular level. At the 2017 Senior Games held on Tuesday at Charleroi High School, participants were showing just how it works — actively demonstrating the Games’ mantra of “Age Strong, Live Well.”
The Senior Games are the biggest event of the year for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging, with more than 700 seniors participating. The Games are geared toward people age 50 or older who live in Washington, Greene, and Fayette Counties. Participants, some of whom are over 90 years old, compete in different age brackets in eleven different events. In addition to athletic competitions, the Senior Games include a Health Fair, a Senior Variety Show, Super Bingo, food and craft booths.
Marcellus Shale driller Range Resources has been sponsoring the Games for several years. Range’s Christina Kramer is part of that effort. “We’re big fans of the Senior Games, and we help defray the costs of the event through our sponsorship,” says Christina.
In addition to providing financial support, a group of Range employees volunteer on the day of the Games: running a booth, passing out water and other takeaways, and answering questions about Range’s role in the community and updates on nearby operations. “The best part of Range’s participation is definitely being present at the games,” says Christina. “The turnout for the event is great, and the athletes are always enthusiastic and enjoy the friendly competition with each other.”
Range’s Melissa Shaughnessy is also a regular volunteer at the Games. The Cecil Township resident says the athletes inspire her. “I really admire that just because a person is a Senior Citizen doesn’t mean they’re headed for a rocking chair,” says Melissa. “My mother, who is 89, was always very active until she was in her mid-80’s. She never competed in the event, but if I’d have known about it 10 years ago, I bet she would have! It’s just a great group of people and I love seeing participants representing different local communities by wearing similar ‘uniforms’, just like an Olympic team!”
Maryjane Stewart lives in northern Washington County and has been participating in the Senior Games with friends for several years. “We proudly represent the Chartiers Township community, and while we may be a little slower, we are willing to go out there and do our best. Last year, one of our ladies participated in the one-mile walk using her walker! And when we see the names of the companies, like Range Resources, that are sponsoring the Games, we appreciate the fact that they care enough about the participants and their communities to help make Southwestern Pennsylvania a better place to live.”
Senior Games organizer Robin Youger emphasizes that corporate support is critical to the success of the event. “Range Resources has been a terrific partner for us. We couldn’t organize and execute this event without our corporate sponsors, and there are always unexpected expenses. We needed two new tents this year, we needed a new set of bocce balls, new stopwatches – things like that. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging is a nonprofit dedicated to helping seniors in this area. Putting on a fun event like the Senior Games is a big extra expense for us – and we can only do it with the help of local companies like Range Resources.”
This article is written and sponsored by Range Resources.