
SEYMOUR — No doubt the holidays are going to look a lot different this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But that’s not stopping town officials from ensuring that its most vulnerable population — its senior citizens — remain engaged and full of festive cheer.
A series of holiday drive-thru events will kick off at 1 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 28) at the Seymour Community Center, 20 Pine St.
Director of Community Services Mary McNelis and her staff are poised to pass out free hot cider and donuts to their senior members from the comfort and safety of their cars. Those who don Halloween costumes will receive an extra treat, McNelis said.
The fall/Halloween drive-thru will be followed by a Thanksgiving lunch drive-thru, courtesy of Mattei’s Deli in Derby. McNelis said Mattei’s annually caters the senior lunch normally held inside the center, but this is the next best thing, she said. The Thanksgiving drive-thru is set for noon Nov. 19.
“It will be a phenomenal Thanksgiving feast with all the fixings,” McNelis said.
A Christmas lunch drive-thru, with menu details to come, will take place at noon Dec. 17.
While the cider and donuts event is free, there is a $9 fee for both the Thanksgiving and Christmas drive-thru events. All events are open to members of the center.
Those who’d like to join can do so for $7 a year for residents and $9 a year for non-residents. Registration to become a member, or to register for the drive-thru events (which is required) can be done online or by calling 203 – 888-0406.
Masks are required for all who attend these events.
The pandemic forced the community center/senior center to shut its doors to the public in mid-March. McNelis said not being able to host seniors in person for various day to day activities has been difficult, and she became increasingly concerned about the town’s elderly population being isolated.
“Social isolation and loneliness is very real for seniors, and during a pandemic, it’s even greater,” McNelis said. “The drive-thru events allow seniors to leave their house, see familiar faces, (even behind masks) and allow them a safe way to just say ‘hi.’ This gives them a human connection we all need. It keeps them connected to the community and reminds them that we care and we’re still here for them.”
While McNelis said state guidelines enabled senior centers to reopen with restrictions under the Phase 3 plan last month, she opted to keep the doors closed for safety’s sake.
However, the center did reopen earlier this month for some limited exercise classes, which McNelis said have been a big hit.
A summer drive-thru held in August that featured hot dogs and chips drew more than 100 seniors, McNelis said. That’s why she’s so passionate about continuing to hold these events to keep the seniors engaged.
“The drive-thrus are really working well for us,” McNelis aded. “Even though the seniors aren’t physically engaging with each other, they all see each other’s cars and they know they’re not alone in this. It’s about all about community and keeping everyone connected.”
Suzanne Reilly, a member of the center, who also serves on the Commission for Aging, has attended some of the past drive-thru events and is excited for the holiday ones to come.
“I look forward to the events, and think that the Seymour Senior Center/Community Center staff has been doing exemplary work trying to keep the members engaged,” Reilly said.
“The drive-thru events are great because it gives you something to look forward to. The food is always excellent and a special treat and it’s wonderful to see the staff in person even if it’s with masks and via car windows. Of course, all the social distance precautions are in place to make it comfortable and safe to participate. They have really thought it through.”