Grandparents to be Celebrated With Monmouth Mall Walk

The Senior Citizens Activity Network (SCAN) will be holding its first Free Family and Friends 3K Mall Walk at Monmouth Mall on Sept. 8 from 8 to 10 a.m. in honor of or in memory of grandparents.

The impetus for a National Grandparents Day originated with a housewife in West Virginia in 1978. Her primary motivation was to champion the cause of lonely, elderly people in nursing homes. She also hoped to persuade grandchildren to tap the wisdom and heritage their grandparents could provide, and SCAN hopes to do the same.

Pat Bohse, acting executive director of SCAN says, “Whatever you call your grandparents — grandma, grandpa, nana, pop pop — we know they are national treasures and we want to show our appreciation.”

Participants can purchase a tribute sign in honor of their grandparents. These tributes will be either printed by SCAN on an 8.5 x 11-inch sign or participants can submit their original creation by Aug. 24. All tribute signs will be displayed during the 3K walk, and afterward they will remain on display at the SCAN office until the end of September.

The walk will feature mascots from New Jersey Natural Gas Energy and Chick-fil-A, giveaways, coupons to Mall stores, door prizes and light refreshments.

SCAN is a nonprofit organization that has provided adult education classes for people ages 50 and up for 23 years. SCAN is located on the basement level of the Monmouth Mall and offers classes in fitness, computers, photography, art and many more each week.