Competition runs through their veins.
Residents of independent living communities owned and operated by Liberty Senior Living love their fellow residents, relish their annual get-togethers, and enjoy mingling and socializing…all the while wanting to nab the gold.
Liberty Games, an Olympic-style program, pits senior against senior in competition in an eagerly anticipated annual event. Liberty Games are designed to inspire good-hearted fun, socialization, and wellness for the communities' residents.
Earlier this month, teams from the participating senior living communities traveled to this year's host, Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina. The other communities participating were Brightmore of Wilmington, Brightmore of South Charlotte, The Barclay at SouthPark in Charlotte, Pisgah Valley in Asheville, Quail Haven Village in Pinehurst, in North Carolina; South Bay at Mount Pleasant in Charleston; and Wellington Bay in Wellington, Florida.
After a joyous opening ceremony, which featured each team marching in to music and cheered by spouses, staff and volunteers, the 2024 Liberty Games began. Participants, ages 65 to 90+, competed in a wide range of events, including bocce ball, a water balloon toss, a mile walk race, a water walk race, ping pong, brain games, and more.
Like all competitive events, the top contenders are honored with a certificate and a gold, silver, or bronze trophy. The team earning the most trophies is deemed the winner of the Liberty Games.
"We sent Team Templeton off to the Liberty Games with a rousing pep rally, and when they came home with the gold medal, we celebrated again," said Krista Lemery, Executive Director of The Templeton of Cary.
The silver medal champs were Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall. "The Liberty Games really got my competitive juices flowing again… when we compete against the best from other Liberty Senior Living communities, that adds some additional spice to the games. It is fun to meet and compete against folks we don't know well, and when we finish the competitions, we have made some new friends," said Bob Perry, a team member of the host community, Carolina Bay, at Autumn Hall.
The bronze medal recipients were the team from The Barclay at South Park. "I had a great time at the Liberty Games this year. The accommodations were outstanding; we were well-fed, the games were thoughtfully planned and judged fairly. More importantly, however, was the joy I experienced playing on a team again, seeing yet another outstanding Liberty senior living community, and making new friends among the many participants and supporters. Special kudos to our gracious hosts, Carolina Bay at Autumn Hall," said Joe Manter, a resident of The Barclay at South Park.
