Applewood Seniors Organize Earth Day Events and Education

“One of our motivations to host a significant Earth Day event is for people to understand that seniors care about recycling and preserving our world for the next generations,” says Virginia Allen, one of the Earth Day committee members who organized the elaborate day of on-site educational seminars and a fair hosted in the LeVan Performing Arts Center.

Our Engaged Living™ lifestyle program includes social accountability that starts at Applewood and extends to the local Freehold community, across New Jersey, the nation and even globally.

CBS 2 New York Interviews Applewood Community Volunteers (Sept. 2018)

Today, residents planned and managed a community-wide Earth Day celebration.

The Monmouth County Community Unites for the Environment

Local environmental organizations and businesses, including representatives from the Monmouth County Reclamation Center, the Freehold Township recycling coordinator and Green Goddess locally-grown, organic honey products were on hand to talk with residents, offer samples and demonstrations.

Several Earth Day stations were set up, managed by residents, offering opportunities to learn more about the ease of recycling and environmental preservation activities.

A low-fee tag sale, spread across several tables, promoted rehoming unwanted items rather than adding them to landfills. Staff and residents picked-up bargains and remaining merchandise was sparse later in the day, a sign of success.

Funds raised from the sale and raffles will be donated toward the purchase of high-quality, reusable shopping bags for residents, blazoned with a custom Applewood Green logo.

“I’m pleased so many ‘green’ residents attended the fair and supported all the guest speakers who spoke here today,” said Bobbie Schneider, who partnered with a neighbor to offer detailed information about environmental degradation, citing actionable ways we can turn these wrongs around.

David Wheeler, executive director of the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ, spoke during a resident Lunch and Learn about his organization’s efforts.

“I welcome the opportunity to speak with seniors who truly appreciate the value of our natural habitat here in New Jersey,” David said. “Being outside in nature is a natural remedy for many ailments later in life.”

Wheeler reported scientific research has proven that being in nature improves mental outlook, lessens stress and improves sleep quality.

Earth Day Activities Run from Morning to Night

Later in the day, a special presentation of Stephen Hiltner’s Climate Cabaret was shown, residents watched environmental-focused TED Talks throughout the day, and the popular documentary Planet Earth was presented after the dinner hour.

“From children to seniors, we all have to band together to address the environmental damage modern life has caused,” Virginia says. “We’re more than 200 strong here at Applewood and all of us are committed to getting our world back on track.”

We would like to offer special thanks to Applewood’s Engaged Living coordinator, Wanda Garrin, and manager of resident services, Joan Cinque, for their special assistance and support in this endeavor.

Applewood Strives to Promote Well Being for Seniors

We look forward to telling you and your loved ones more about living a life filled with meaning and purpose here at Applewood.  To learn more about our exclusive Engaged Living™ lifestyle or to stop by for a tour, call 732-303-7416.