WHEREAS, In 1990, the United Nations General Assembly designated October 1st the International Day of Older Persons.
WHEREAS, The theme of International Day of Older persons 2014 is Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All; and
WHEREAS, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, Philadelphia Chapter began celebrating the International Day of Older Persons three years ago to raise awareness of elders' needs; and
WHEREAS, Founded in France in 1946, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is an international organization dedicated to relieving loneliness and isolation among older adults; and
WHEREAS, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly motto flowers before bread, expresses the belief that friendship and personal support are as important as the provision of food, clothing and shelter; that hearts starve as well as bodies; and
WHEREAS, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly reduces isolation by providing a personal support and visiting program, as well as telephone visits, social activities, birthday visits, holiday celebrations, mental health screening and advocacy for needed services; and
WHEREAS, Currently, there are Little brothers - Friends of the Elderly programs in seven cities and one rural area in the United States and in seven foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly's Philadelphia history began in 1990 when a group of Philadelphia community volunteers was approached by the Little Brothers' national office to start a local chapter due to Philadelphia's high percentage of senior citizens; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Chapter of Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly, serves over 500 senior citizens, many of who are frail and homebound. Little Brothers offer a variety of ways for volunteers to connect with this population, now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize October 1st as Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly Day in Philadelphia.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly Day as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.
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