Office for the Aging’s Free Bingo Games
Tuesday in Rhinebeck, Thursday in Dover
The Dutchess County Office for the Aging (OFA) held its first drive-in Bingo game earlier this week at Bowdoin Park, one of the County’s award-winning parks. This free event provided nearly 100 seniors the chance to interact with OFA staff and volunteers, while enjoying a gorgeous autumn day and playing for fun and prizes. County Executive Marc Molinaro and New York State Senator Sue Serino took part in the fun, calling Bingo numbers and handing out prizes to the winners. You can watch a video of the excitement below.
The OFA is bringing this safely distant event to a pair of venues next week: the Dutchess County Fairgrounds (6636 Route 9 in Rhinebeck) on Tuesday, and Thomas J. Boyce Park (6420 Route 55 in Dover); both events begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. Both events are filling up, but space is available by registering at (845) 486-2555. Seniors receive a complimentary Bingo card when they arrive at the venue of their choice, and numbers are announced over a short-distance FM radio frequency that seniors can listen to through their car radios. Participants honk their horn when they have a Bingo. Get more details about these upcoming events on Dutchess County’s webpage.
These events are just the latest way the OFA staff is adapting events to enhance seniors’ lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, the OFA’s annual Summer Picnic Series was modified to a dozen drive-through picnics, at which seniors picked up a nutritious meal prepared by a local establishment and interacted with OFA staff and volunteers at a safe distance. In the coming months and year, OFA will continue to re-imagine events and activities for seniors to ensure opportunities for socialization and engagement that is critical to mental well-being.
We hope you, or the senior in your life, can join us next week in northern or eastern New York to enjoy some socialization and fun from the comfort of your car!
