Proclamation

WHEREAS: September 2007 has been designated as Grandparent/Elder Recognition Month by the Light Heart Foundation; and

WHEREAS: the Mission of the Light Heart Foundation is to increase
visitation and promote community awareness as to the needs of the
elderly living in assisted living, retirement and convalescent communities; and

WHEREAS: in times past, villages were made up of extended family communities and the elderly were the storytellers to the young so that history was not lost; and

WHEREAS: these villages have disappeared along with the reverence for the wisdom that the elders possessed. Our mobile society has now created unnatural age segregation which has isolated generations from each other; and

WHEREAS: we recognize that communities are strengthened when intergenerational relationships are encouraged and supported and that social progress is stimulated when the strengths of one generation can help meet the needs of another. Dynamic exchange between youth and elders leads to a thriving community.

NOW THEREFORE, I hereby proclaim September 2007 as Grandparent/Elder Recognition Month in the Verde Valley and urge citizens of all ages to visit the elderly in community facilities to let them know that we care, that we remember that they fought for our country and built our communities