Dec. 23, 2008 – St. Ursula's Multipurpose Center was dressed to the nines for the center's annual Christmas party on Tuesday, and so were the seniors who filled it.
"St. Ursula's always likes to reach out to the community," center director Clarence Scipio said.
The seniors entertained themselves with a rousing rendition of the Senior Citizens' Theme Song, sung to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
"If you're 60 years or over and you don't know what to do, just join the senior center and they will welcome you," they sang.
The Charlotte Amalie High School's Interact Club, an arm of the Rotary Club of St. Thomas, was a big hit with their musical performance.
"On the first day of Christmas, my true love brought to me a demijohn of guavaberry," they sang as the seniors tapped their feet to the Caribbean take on the Twelve Days of Christmas.
While the event was a time for holiday cheer as well as lunch, Scipio touched on a troubling problem plaguing the senior community. Too many seniors are mistreated by their families, he said, including some that leave their older relatives penniless by taking all their money.
In outlining one incident, he said a senior was told by his relatives that if he went to court to get his money back, the relatives would kill him.
Scipio was able to intervene, which he said pointed out the need for seniors to let the center know when they have difficulties.
He also outlined other services the center provides. They include the on-site lunch program as well as lunch delivery and distribution of the senior cards. Those cards give seniors over 60 a 50 percent break on their vehicle registration and driver's license renewals, a price reduction on ferry boat fares and other discounts across the territory.
"But a lot of people don't like to be called seniors," Scipio said as a rooster, in true St. John fashion, strolled in to the center through the open front door.
After taking a look around, the rooster strutted out.
One of the people honored was Tina Gillespie, an attorney with Legal Services of the Virgin Islands. This agency helps seniors as well as others who can't afford to pay an attorney.
Others honored included Charlotte Amalie High School teacher Mary Langley-Edwards, Episcopal Church Dean Ashton Jacinto Brooks and Francis Scott of Starfish Market. All attended except Scott.
Wesley Williams, ordained in June as an Episcopal Church deacon after a long and prestigious law career, was the featured speaker.
He told the seniors that he got involved with senior citizen activities because of his grandparents and parents. Williams said that when he cared for his aging parents, he had his children participate.
"I told them, 'My time is coming and I want you to be there for me,'" he said.
