[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 146 (Wednesday, December 3, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




ON THE OCCASION OF THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY CLUB 
                          OF PONTIAC, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 3, 2014

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
50th Anniversary of the Golden Opportunity Club, which was established 
as a venue for senior citizens in the Greater Pontiac community to 
connect and learn. Founded with the philosophy that increasing age does 
not need to impact an individual's quality of life, the Golden 
Opportunity Club is a community organization that directly engages 
senior citizens in the City of Pontiac to support a wide variety of 
activities that keeps them both mentally and physically active.
  Founded in October 1964, the Golden Opportunity Club first met at the 
Lakeside Homes Center in Pontiac with ten original members in 
attendance. Its supervisor, Mrs. Johnson, immediately recognized the 
club's unique potential and engaged in efforts to expand its reach 
within the community. After much debate, she came up with the club's 
signature name under the presidency of Mrs. Annie Thompson. Two 
locations and thirteen presidents later, the thriving Golden 
Opportunity Club is now comprised of 400 members.
  To carry out its mission, the club arranges activities and events for 
all people aged fifty-six and up. Club members participate in 
recreational gatherings including: trips, picnics and parties. In 
addition, the club offers its members a forum to use their compassion 
and desire to others by participating in charitable events to support 
their community. The Golden Opportunity Club also reaches out to ill, 
hospitalized and homebound members by providing financial and emotional 
support to them and their families.
  Under the leadership of its current president, Carolyn Price, the 
Golden Opportunity Club has continued to stay focused on its mission of 
engaging seniors in activities that encourage civic activism and 
promote an active lifestyle. Recently, the Golden Opportunity Club has 
allied with Community Network Services and other organizations to 
ensure that their charitable contributions are benefiting the 
community. The funds that the Golden Opportunity Club raises through 
its events are used to make a significant impact on the residents of 
Pontiac. Specifically, the Golden Opportunity Club uses some of these 
funds to award annual scholarships to graduating high school seniors, 
as well as an annual contribution to the God U-C Youth Group, which is 
committed to inspiring and enriching the lives of youth in Pontiac. In 
conjunction with annual donations, the Golden Opportunity Club is 
committed to improving Pontiac as it continues to grow and develop. 
This past year it made significant contributions to Coats for Kids, and 
the WHRC Elementary School when its roof caved in.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
remarkable impact the Golden Opportunity Club has made over the last 50 
years on the lives of senior citizens in the City of Pontiac. As more 
and more members of the Baby Boomer generation become seniors, the 
health and happiness of senior citizens will become increasingly 
important to sustain robust communities. The Golden Opportunity Club is 
vital to this work in the Pontiac community. I congratulate the Golden 
Opportunity Club on its many achievements and wish its members 
continued success in fulfilling their mission and encouraging the 
spirit and vitality of Pontiac's seniors.

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