The initiative was one of several activities throughout the year to commemorate 15 years of engagement and community connection. Susan Patton, a LIFE@Elon member, said the idea of having a food drive started in the fall semester, but the group decided the springtime would be a great time to support the local community. Many food pantries have challenges after the major gift-giving holidays in the winter are over, but the need is abundant year-round.

The group gathered 1,192 food items and an additional $1,880 in donations to support SAFE Alamance Food Pantry. While the original goal was to donate 1,500 food items, the financial contributions from members far surpassed this goal and offered even further support to families in need than had been imagined.

“Discovering the numerous ways that SAFE, Inc. assists families across our county only made me appreciate more that LIFE@Elon was able to contribute toward this worthwhile program,” said LIFE@Elon member Billy Rintz.

“What a wonderful way to celebrate 15 years of educational nourishment through LIFE@Elon by supporting true food insufficiency in Alamance County through a canned goods drive for SAFE. It was wonderful to get to deliver three carloads of food in person!” said Susan Klopman, LIFE@Elon member and vice president emerita.

In the past year, SAFE has served 8,000 families between 3 distribution sites across Alamance County. To learn more about LIFE@Elon, please view their website. To learn more about SAFE or make a donation, please visit their

Whether someone is picking up a paddle for the first time or already brings a competitive edge, the courts have become a hub for community, stress relief and healthy activity.

LIFE@Elon’s mission is to provide lifelong learning for adults 50 years and older through an educational community that offers enriching experiences through unique programs and ongoing engagement with �þ���.

“It’s a great opportunity to bring you full circle with activities, education, new friends, and new opportunities such as travel,” said Mary Anne Butler, who has attended LIFE@Elon for about three years.

Butler, who is an avid pickleball player, has been a member of LIFE@Elon for around 3 years. She says LIFE@Elon has helped her stay active within the Elon community, and that pickleball “brought friends together.” These same friends, she says, go out to eat together and play pickleball almost every day.

This pickleball group averages about 14 players each week. Some of the members branch out beyond physical involvement and delve into everything else the community has to offer, such as special guest lectures at �þ���.

If you, your family members, or friends are looking for more information about LIFE@Elon, you can contact Kathryn Bennett, director of LIFE@Elon, at kbennett9@elon.edu or 336-278-7431.

After Elon first-year Nikki Guevara was recognized for performing life-saving CPR on fellow student Lucy Sharp in September, program director Kathryn Bennett realized the importance of emergency preparedness. In a program that serves older individuals, the risk of medical emergencies such as falls or heart attacks is significant. Bennett decided that the student workers needed to be trained in CPR and first aid to help LIFE@Elon members if an emergency ever occurred.

Student workers Andrew Glas, Izzy Bennett, Natalie Gazjuk, Jeliannie Vidal and Terrence Pittman gathered in the spring at Johnston Hall to receive an Adult First Aid/CPR/AED Red Cross training from Zach Gentz, assistant director of campus recreation for facilities and aquatics. The students practiced how to perform CPR, how to help someone who is choking, and how to provide first aid in a variety of medical emergencies, like head injuries or diabetic attacks. Gentz emphasized the importance of students continuing to educate themselves and practice these skills after the training.

“If somebody needs help, I know exactly what steps to follow,” said Vidal. “It makes me feel great that LIFE@Elon wants to create a safe space for its members.”

As a program that serves seniors, Bennett understands the special needs of their members and strives to create a welcoming, engaging and safe environment to enrich this lifelong learning community.