RSCC’s second Golden Games Special Olympics a hit

Ron Smith Care Centre’s second annual Golden Games Special Olympics saw residents and staff enjoy a spectacular week of fun, with each of the care centre’s six residential wings dressing up in their team colour to compete for top honours. 

The teams competed in four events, from 10 to 14 July, namely Noodle Wars, Fingerboard, Beanbag Knockdown and the Skyscraper Building Challenge. 

Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes, said preparation for this year’s games started in mid-June when RSCC’s employees kicked off the team-building process by participating in fun dance practices to build up unity and team spirit. 

 “Staff attended practice sessions to learn a cheer dance to Taylor Swift’s Shake It Off. Twelve dance groups, representing all of the wings, then performed the dance at the games, where they were judged and awarded points for their performance. Lakeside residential wing’s A Group won the 2023 Dance Champions title,” says Debbie. 

The four-day Golden Games culminated in a glorious awards ceremony, where the winning team, Cedar Park, was congratulated, and individual members were crowned and presented with medals.

Other special awards were presented to residents for being the Champion Golden Gamer, Best Over 90 Competitor, Champion Skyscraper Builder, Best Sportsman, Most Spirited and Best Effort Made. Awards presented to staff were Best Team Leader, Best Encourager, Most Supportive of Residents, Most Improved Dancer and Best Male Cheer Dancer.

“The team spirit, excitement, singing, dancing, cheering, clapping, determination and friendly competitiveness throughout the event was thrilling to experience. It was particularly heartwarming to see the absolute fun and joy that the events brought, and the wonderful spirit and positive energy that came from supporting, encouraging and applauding others – whether they were on the same team or not,” says Debbie. 

“Most of the residents enjoyed themselves and some, who don’t normally participate in recreational activities, really came alive during the competitions. Others, who thought they wouldn’t be able to manage some of the events, were encouraged to give it a try and were amazed and delighted at the results of their efforts,” she adds. 

Employees also enjoyed the event, saying that it lifted their spirits; while a family member sent a WhatsApp to RSCC that read: “I was fortunate enough to arrive today while everyone was getting ready. The positive energy, enthusiasm and team spirit were great to see. Well done all! I am sure this event will go a long way to brighten up the days for all that stay there.” The games were about much more than winning and losing, says Debbie. 

“The event is about having a positive attitude, trying your best, having fun, making an effort, encouraging your teammates and appreciating other people’s achievements, regardless of which team they are on. In upholding these values, residents and staff honoured the true spirit of the games. It was an exceptional event that brought joy to the entire care centre community.”

RSCC staff doing cheer dance at the Golden Games Awards Ceremony.

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

The dance champions! Lakeside Group A.

Golden Games Grand Championship Award: Cedar Park.

Golden Games Grand Championship Award: Cedar Park.

Champion Skyscraper Builders: Carol Murphy and Clem Lilley from Cedar Park.

Dance Champions 2023: Lakeside A Group.

Golden Gamer: Drienie Horlacher, Lakeside. 

Best Team Leader: Esmeralda Rusike, River Lodge 3.

Most Improved Dancer: Germinah Baloyi, River Lodge 1 (second from the left).

Best Effort Made: Irvine Sinnett, Woodlands.

Best Over 90 competitor: Marie Roberts (left) from River Lodge 1.
  

Most Spirited: Maureen Wollenschlaeger, River Lodge 2.
 

Tshepo Malatjie: Best Encourager with Neville Branthwaite: Best Sportsman.

Most Supportive of Residents: Prudence Mokoena (right), River Lodge 3. She is pictured with Mary Johnstone.

Best Male Cheer Dancer: Mzwakhe Mokubung, a student on River Lodge 3.

RSCC and Elphin Lodge get tails wagging for Mandela Month

 

Cats and dogs assisted by Tails and Whiskers and the smaller animal rescue organisations it supports received tons of love and support from Rand Aid Association in celebration of Nelson Mandela Month.

Rand Aid’s Elphin Lodge retirement village and Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) went all out to commemorate Mandela Month by supporting animal welfare and rescue non-profit organisation Tails and Whiskers.

The project, which ran from 7 June to 18 July, was launched when Sharon Blackwell, the founder of the Tails and Whiskers, and her team, visited the village and care centre with some of the organisation’s animals to speak to residents about its animal welfare and rescue work in various communities.

Tails and Whiskers raises funds, via its charity shop and Saturday markets in Edenvale, to help and support several smaller animal welfare organisations in the area. 

After Tails and Whiskers’ presentation, residents and staff had a lovely time cuddling and interacting with the dogs and cats.

“For many, the time spent with these animals brought back precious memories of all the wonderful pets they have had in their lives,” says Debbie Christen, Rand Aid’s manager of recreational programmes.

The village and care centre then ran a food and blanket drive for the organisation and collected items for it to sell in its charity shop.

On Mandela Day, some of RSCC’s residents spent their 67 minutes making dog biscuits to donate to Tails and Whiskers. The biscuits were delivered to the organisation by RSCC’s recreation team, along with packaged beaded jewellery that was made by staff and residents. A final load of dog and cat food, blankets and items for the charity shop, all donated by residents, was also dropped off.

“We are humbled and inspired by the love, dedication and passion with which the Tails and Whiskers team and their beneficiaries do their work. In the spirit of Mandela Month, we felt that this was a most worthy charity organisation to support,” says Debbie.

“A special thank you to everyone who supported this worthwhile project and made a significant difference in these animals’ lives,” she adds.

Annabelle Lucas and Cathy Basterfield.

Ellen Quinn rolls out the dough to make dog biscuits.

Maureen Wollenschlaeger cuts out her biscuits.

The recreation team delivered the dog biscuits and other donations collected by Elphin Lodge and RSCC to the Tails and Whiskers on Mandela Day. Pictured are Debbie Christen, Lucia Nkuna, Evelyn Shilubane and Marlé Eloff.

RSCC resident Olive Jew gets some loving licks from Watson, much to the delight of Isabel Peddie, Rhona Burnham and Trish Llewelyn.

RSCC residents Ria Milburn, Pearl Porter, Bernie Jawitz, Marion Simmonds and Brian Russell.

The finished product for the dogs to enjoy!

RSCC announces best housekeeping team for June

 

Lerato Masoga and Iris Radebe from Ron Smith Care Centre’s River Lodge 3 again won the accolade of best housekeeping team, this time for June. Relief workers Precious Mlimo and Pinky Tshayisa were also June winners.

Their supervisor Portia Ngobeni says Lerato and Iris stood out again for their flawless cleaning efforts on the wing. This month, using their own initiative, they even cleaned all of the windows and window frames, resulting in a sparkling clean wing.

Both Precious and Pinky are hard workers who get the job done without having to wait for instructions. They make a consistent daily effort, which is appreciated by all.

Iris Radebe, Precious Mlimo, Rand Aid nursing manager Avril Maltman, Pinky Tshayisa and Lerato Masoga.