Walters Group Hosts Mini Olympic Games at Apartment Communities

BARNEGAT, N.J. - March 6, 2018 - PRLog -- While the 2018 Winter Olympic Games are playing out in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the spirit of the games are being enjoyed by residents of the Walters Group apartment communities. Through the creativity of Jennifer Pampalone, social services coordinator, residents in several communities will compete for "gold" in Minute to Win It challenges to be held throughout the month.

"We held the first one at Cornerstone at Toms River, and it was great seeing everyone's competitive nature and watching residents get involved and have fun," said Pampalone who creates programming for all of the Walters Group communities throughout Ocean County. Although no one slalomed down ski slopes, the two-hour event held at Cornerstone at Toms River did include a stacking cups challenge and strategic use of straws to transfer Smarties® from one end of the table to the other. The "Olympic" event was just one of many social activities organized by Pampalone to encourage interaction and camaraderie among residents. The event was co-sponsored by Atlantic Coast Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Lakewood, New Jersey, who provided lunch for participants.

Pampalone is planning more Olympic fun in March for residents of Cornerstone at Barnegat, Laurel Oaks in Barnegat, Whispering Hills in Barnegat, and Cornerstone at Lacey in Forked River.

The Walters Group social services program aims to address the interests and concerns of all the residents, ranging from young children to seniors, according to Pampalone. She keeps everyone informed of weekly and monthly events by distributing newsletters, Facebook posts, text messaging and flyers.

To engage residents at two of the age-restricted communities, Cornerstone at Toms River and Cornerstone at Barnegat, Pampalone created a program that encourages seniors to take a walk down memory lane. Through planned activities, residents are encouraged to recall childhood memories, discuss classic movies and share memorabilia.

"I've found that seniors like talking about where they grew up, so I wanted to form a social group where residents can share their experiences and make connections," said Pampalone. "We started out with the 1930s and we'll focus on other eras as we continue to attract more residents."

Residents Gather for a Cause

Walters Group apartment residents also have the opportunity to get involved in rewarding charitable activities to help make a difference within their communities. Among the most popular ongoing club is the Common Goals Group, which focuses on a different charity activity every month. The volunteers recently participated in the American Heart Association's Little Hats, Big Hearts program by knitting hats for babies born in February and donating them to local hospitals. Over the past year, their philanthropic efforts have included a food drive for Providence House-Ocean County, donating care packages to troops overseas, and a coat and hat drive for Atlantic City Rescue Mission.

Pampalone also assists seniors seeking community and supportive services. "My role is evolving every day," she said. "I have a lot of people coming to me with questions, and I relay information and find resources to help them continue to live independently."

About Walters Group (http://www.caryl.com/walters-group/)