For Immediate Release

Date: May 14, 2009 Contact: Suzanne Wiener Phone: 631-715-2569 Fax:

Commack, NY—“I’m so excited; this year, I want to win the gold!” said Pat Davidson, 65, one of the nine athletes from the Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Commack who will compete in the Suffolk County Golden Games at the [gym name] at St. Joseph’s College (Patchogue) on Friday, May 15 beginning at 10:00 am. The event, in it’s 20th year, caps off a celebration of National Nursing Home Week (May 10th - 16th) , and will be attended by teams from 14 Suffolk County nursing homes, the most ever to participate.

Originally conceived in 1989 by Karen Nash, CTRS, Director of Therapeutic Recreation at the Gurwin Center ( Commack ) , the Suffolk County Golden Games has given nursing home residents an opportunity to fulfill their physical potential at a fun-filled , competitive and cooperative social event. “Physical activities are an important component of therapeutic recreation programs within nursing homes ,” said Nash. “This year, our athletes, ranging in age from their sixties to well into their nineties, will gather to compete in the Olympic-style competitive events, such as volleyball, wheelchair relay races, distance throw and bowling. “

“Twenty years ago, we began the games as a one-day event with one other nursing home. Today, it has grown to be a spectacular event, with fourteen nursing homes competing,” says Nash. “Each of us has a team of nine residents who have tried-out and practiced to be ready to participate. Each event can become extremely competitive for those medals!”

The event will begin with Olympic-style opening ceremonies, including a parade of athletes, at 10am. Medals are awarded in a medal ceremony at the conclusion of each event. Last year, Gurwin resident Ida Klubok was on the gold-medal winning wheel-chair relay team. “I hope we can repeat that performance again this year!”

YOU ARE INVITED TO COVER THIS UNIQUE AND HEART-WARMING EVENT. For more information, or to make any special arrangements for coverage, please contact Suzanne Wiener at (631) 715-2569.