Eighty-seven-year-old Enith Ketrurah Crosdale, the eldest member of the Gold Torch Senior Citizens Club, sings during the club's annual dinner at the Marine Park Community Centre, recently.

Anthony Minott photos - APPRECIATION! Zeris Gordon (right), president of the Gold Torch Senior Citizens Club, shakes the hand of Marjorie Trottman before giving her a token for dedicated service to the club during the annual dinner at the Marine Park Community Centre.

The Gold Torch Senior Citizens Club from Braeton Phase One, in Portmore, has been around for many years, and last week Friday they had their annual dinner at the Marine Park Community Centre.

Fitz Jackson, the Member of Parliament for South St. Catherine, where the club is located, gave the keynote address. MP Jackson recognised the role played by senior citizens in the building of their communities and the nation.

He told the seniors that they should set an example for their family and community to follow. "I challenge you to use your influence on your families and community to instil and preserve those softer tendencies that help to make for a more caring society," said Jackson.

Meanwhile, the eldest senior citizen of the club, Enith Ketrurah Crosdale, 87, was given a special gift, while Lena Davis was presented with a token for her dedicated service to the club. Marjorie Trottman was recognised for her contribution as well.

The club has over 48 members and 18 volunteers.

While adding her voice to the strides taken by her club, President Zeris Gordon is looking for her organisation to do more this year in terms of outreach programmes.

Currently, there is a workshop taking place in the evenings where women from different parts of Portmore learn skills in craftwork comprising crocheting and embroidery, but more can be done. "We badly need an industrial machine for the workshop," Gordon said.

The senior citizen club also offers help to golden agers and shut-ins in the form of a feeding programme. The items are donated by Aneita Lee, wife of Portmore Mayor, George Lee.

Mayor Lee, who was on hand, sent greetings to the seniors and assisted with the presentations. Also in attendance were Vera Clarke, president of the Waterford Senior Citizens Club.

The seniors were given food and refreshments by volunteers and treated to live entertainment by friends and fellow senior citizens.