Hampton Bays Seniors Get a TV and a Wii

Senior citizens at the Hampton Bays Senior Center now have a big screen television and a Nintendo Wii game system thanks to volunteers, who raised funds through a community sale in Late August.

At a ribbon cutting ceremony, held at the senior center earlier this week, seniors gathered to thank all those who made the purchase of the new equipment possible.

"So many of your played a part," said Pam Giacoia, director of senior services for the Hampton Bays Senior Center. "We have some of the best volunteers who come in day after day to make a difference.  Many hands make light work."

Pointing to the new flat screen and Wii system, Giacoia said, "It is incredible what we can do when we ban together."

The purchase of the new equipment said Giacoia, was made possible through a community sale that was organized by several senior volunteers, including Ann Pavlovsky, Barbara Demy and Arlene Eisenman. 

The trio managed to collect over $1,800 worth of donations from local businesses for the sale. 

"There was stuff everywhere," said Giacoia.  "Out front and in all the rooms."

On the day of the sale, Giacoia said volunteers, including local Boys Scouts, helped set up and make the sale a huge success — enough money was raised to purchase the game system and the television at cost from PC Richards.

"It was inspirational," said Eisenman.  "I feel good about what happened and I would do it again."

"It was a lot of work," said Demy.  "But it was quite enjoyable.  The seniors have such good spirit."

With the ribbon cut, the seniors got busy bowling on the Wii.  Giacoia says she hopes that the Wii will aid the seniors in their metal abilities as well as with physical fitness.

In the New Year, Giacoia also intends to start a program where local students will be invited to the senior center to play Wii games with the seniors. 

"I think we are going to get a lot of use out of it," said Giacoia.