Over 250 participate in the Elder Summer Bash in Sacaton
August 17, 2018
Christopher Lomahquahu
Gila River Indian News
Gila River Indian Community elders converged on the District 3 Sacaton Boys & Girls Club the center of activity for the Elder Summer Bash event on August 6.
To mark the events eleventh year, elders from other tribal communities across Arizona and one from California came to the Community for some old-fashioned fun away from the heat.
District 3 Elderly Coordinator Reba Manuel said several departments came together, including the elders in putting on the event.
Over 250 elders took part in the event and 16 chair volleyball teams bumped, served and spiked their way to victory.
“The elders really got involved with coming up with the types of games and activities they wanted to do,” said Manuel,
Assistance from the Communication & Public Affairs office and public safety contributed their time and resources to provide the fun activities to the elders.
It would not be possible without the help of the elders themselves, who helped out with the registration booth and table games.
A series of games and an obstacle course, that required careful navigation on an oversized tricycle awaited the elders inside the Boys & Girls Club gymnasium.
Personnel from the Gila River Fire Department and Police Department also played a part in providing the games.
Manuel said they have been coming out providing presentations and playing with the elders, and that it was good to see them out helping with the games.
“We appreciate CPAO for supporting us these past couple of years and we continue to work with them in the future to provide a fun activity for the elders,” she said, “We look forward to even bigger turnout next year.”
With the increased popularity of chair volleyball, the possibility of hosting a large tournament in the Community is being talked about.
When the last serve of the chair volleyball tournament was made three teams took home a trophy made by Community elder Eric Manuel.
1ST PLACE – S-To:Ta A’an (Tohono O’odham Nation)
2nd PLACE – Kuumarr (Barona Band of Mission Indians – California)
3rd PLACE – Salt River Steppers (Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community)
