The Olympics Comes To Shoreham
Parade, games, and gold medals for everyone!
This summer, during the 2024 Olympics and late one Friday afternoon, the Shoreham Intermediate Care Facility (ICF) Sensory Garden was decorated in Olympic-themed signs and flags. Maura Boden, Respite/Recreation Program Coordinator, wore a referee outfit as she got her speaker and microphone ready for the games to begin.
One by one, the men and women living in Shoreham were entered the garden, some waving pom poms in the air and others holding their Olympic flag. Once everyone arrived, the grand parade began. Maura, holding her speaker that played the “Olympic Fanfare and Theme,” led the procession as she announced all the teams named after the houses at Shoreham. Everyone felt so proud as the Shoreham athletes circled the parking lot and were cheered on by the “fans” along the sidelines. “It’s huge,” Maura said, reflecting on the impact events like these have on the men and women who live here. “Think about how much fun your personal life is and the fun, exciting things you do with your friends. That’s what we’re creating for them here: fun events with friends.”
After the procession, everyone took a brief dinner break as the Olympic arena was prepared. There were four games to compete in: a bean bag toss through a hula hoop, seeing how long everyone can keep balloons inside a parachute, a game of limbo, and, finally, a baton handoff.
The true victory of the Shoreham Olympics is having a fun evening with friends. This event provided a new and unique experience for everyone involved. Some people overcame challenges and came out victorious, while other people had a smiles on their faces the whole time.
At the end of the 2024 Shoreham Games, every participant proudly accepted a gold medal to keep. “Everyone gets a medal because everyone is a winner,” Maura said.
What makes the Shoreham Olympics possible is the team of dedicated staff who go above and beyond to be cheerful and take part in the festivities themselves.
“The staff here is wonderful,” Maura said. “When we have these events, they join in. They participate. We sing. We dance. I’m very grateful that we have such wonderful staff here.”