The Hornet Football team has some new fans at Dogwood Village.
Last week, players kicked off an initiative to create an ongoing relationship between Orange County student athletes and residents of the senior living community. The students, which included junior varsity and varsity football players as well as a few cheerleaders, and residents played rounds of Bingo and enjoyed football-themed dirty sodas while chatting.
Hornet Head Coach Colston Bayless said the relationship is one he hopes to create every season. He invited the residents to attend home games and gave them jerseys.
“We love to have you come see us play,” he said to the group. “We’re so thankful for Dogwood. We have players whose family are staff members, my grandmother was a resident. This is a way for us to say thank you.”
Dogwood Village Administrator John Ashley said having the students visit means a lot to the residents and is a good way to ensure they still feel a part of their local community.
“Advocacy is not only through nursing,” he said. “It’s through relationships like this.”
Ashley said Dogwood staff will do everything in their power to make sure the relationship continues. He said residents will be asked if they’d like to attend a home game and those who sign up will be transported there. Anyone needing extra assistance will be paired with a certified nursing assistant.
