Parks & Rec Events Assistant
JOAN RHODES
The Town of Waxhaw Parks and Rec team works diligently
to continue to provide virtual services, teach DIY crafts,
and check-in on our Waxhaw Seniors. Waxhaw Events
Assistant, Joan Rhodes, bridges the gap between staff and
residents by personally calling 200+ seniors.
On behalf of the town, Joan reaches out to our senior
citizens who would normally attend our Senior Coffee
events or Annual Senior Christmas Party. She calls on
average 9 seniors a day; starting with the oldest citizens
ranging from 80 up to 97 years of age. During her calls, she
asks how they are doing as we navigate this ever-changing
environment of COVID-19 in our community. “At first they
were reluctant, however, after I explained that I was checking in after they attended
the Senior Christmas Party, they were so appreciative. I knew what they had for
breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some of their kids moved in with them and their kids
were 60 years old!” exclaims Joan.
Many seniors had a relationship with Joan before she called. As the Waxhaw Events
Administrative Assistant, Joan was their main point of contact when they would sign
up each year for the Senior Christmas Party, which has at least 200 participants
and is the largest senior event. The phone calls Joan makes each day is invaluable to
the senior citizens, the Parks and Rec team, and the Town of Waxhaw. She provides
human contact for the seniors and updates for future events that the seniors can
participate in. Although most of the seniors only attend one event in the year, now
they’re learning more about how to be involved in the Waxhaw Senior community.
During the power outage in Waxhaw, the Parks and Recs team returned the good
service to Joan. Although she did not have power for a total of four days, the town staff
immediately brought two large ice boxes to store food and hooked up a generator for
her. “As an older citizen myself, I’m really thankful for their help or else all of my
food would have been wasted. My team is always checking in on me throughout the
day,” says Joan.
Thank you to Joan for checking in on the seniors of Waxhaw. We encourage you
to check in on your seniors as we navigate this ever-changing environment to
stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community. We appreciate your support and
cooperation.
For any questions about events, please call the Parks & Recreation Office: (704)
843-2195 (Programs: Ext. 235, Events: Ext. 226) or email Parks and Rec at
[email protected].