Cruising Car Show Delights Seniors

Community involvement brings connections

Honking horns, revved engines and community involvement brought connection to many residents facing isolation due to COVID-19 at Chugach View and Chugach Manor in Anchorage.

On July 23, residents watched inside from their windows and distanced outside as a parade of classic Corvettes from the Anchorage Corvette Association cruised past the buildings.

The “Celebrating Our Seniors”, parade was hosted by Alaska Housing Finance with support from the Municipality of Anchorage, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Anchorage Safety Patrol and Center, and Rotary Club of East Anchorage.

A welcome change to their normal routine

As the parade rolled by, residents turned on their radios while car speakers played 102.1 Classic Hits for nostalgic music and fan favorites.

Patricia Brown, a resident of Chugach View and Chugach Manor, shared the moment with her son on video chat so he could watch the parade with her from Chicago.

Brown said the hardest part of the coronavirus is being cooped up in the house.

According to Centers for Disease Control, older adults are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Catherine Stone, Alaska Housing director of public housing, said for many residents self-isolating gets difficult to bear. “We are happy to be here to let our residents know we care about them.”

For residents Phyllis White and Beverly Miller, the parade was a welcome change to their normal routine.

“I think it is good because it gets people connected with each other, which we have been missing,” Miller said.

White said at the start of the virus she completely isolated and panicked when in public areas and crowds.

“Now, that is has gone on for so long, I trust in face masks and everything. It’s good to be out and enjoying the fresh air and sunshine.”