Pa. Seniors Create Handmade Ornaments For the State Capitol Holiday Tree

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging announced that visitors to the State Capitol Main Rotunda during the holiday season can check out handmade ornaments hung on the holiday tree that were created by Pennsylvania seniors.

Older adults from more than 32 Senior Community Centers in 27 counties across the commonwealth submitted ornaments in response to an annual request by the department. The tree will remain in the rotunda until Jan. 10.

“Every year, the Department of Aging receives a tremendous number of ornaments from the senior centers with letters or cards thanking the department for inviting the seniors to make them,” Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said. “The seniors really get into the holiday spirit with their creativity and the work that they put into creating the ornaments. Each is unique and embodies the pride of being ‘made in PA’ along with the holiday tree that comes from a Pennsylvania tree farm every year. I would like to thank all of the seniors from across the commonwealth who devoted their time and talent in making the ornaments to support our holiday celebration.”

Here is a list of Senior Community Centers that submitted holiday ornaments:

• Berks County – Berks Encore: Douglassville Center

• Blair County – Williamsburg Senior Center

• Bradford County – Towanda Senior Center

• Butler County Area Agency on Aging – submitted on behalf of the participating Senior Community Centers

• Chester County – Phoenixville Senior Adult Activity Center

• Clearfield County – Centers for Active Living

• Columbia County – Benton Senior Center, Bloomsburg Senior Center, Catawissa Senior Center

• Cumberland County – Big Spring Senior Center

• Delaware County – Good Neighbor Senior Center

• Erie County – John F. Kennedy Center

• Franklin County – Tuscarora Senior Activity Center

• Greene County – Waynesburg Community Center

• Indiana County – Chestnut Hills Social Center, Mahoning Hills Senior Center

• Jefferson County – Heritage House

• Lebanon County – Myerstown Senior Community Center

• Lehigh County – Coopersburg Senior Center

• Luzerne County – Butler Township Active Senior Center, Pittston Active Adult Center

• Lycoming County – George C. Meck Senior Community Center, Jersey Shore Senior Community Center

• Montgomery County – Montgomery County Senior Adult Activities Center

• Philadelphia County – Martin Luther King Older Adult Center

• Potter County – Oswayo Valley Senior Center

• Somerset County – Conemaugh Township Area Senior Center

• Tioga County – Wellsboro Senior Center

• Washington County – Burgettstown Senior Center, Canonsburg Senior Center

• Wayne County Area Agency on Aging – submitted on behalf of the participating Senior Community Centers

• Westmoreland County – Alle-Kiski Valley Center for Active Adults – New Kensington, New Alexandria Center for Active Adults

• Wyoming County – Wyoming County Active Adult Center

Individuals can get a closer look at the ornaments made by the older adults, as well as information about resources and programs for seniors, by visiting the Department of Aging’s Facebook page.