Century Club 2024

On June 5th, Perley Health hosted its most anticipated event of the year - the 7th annual Century Club celebration, a giant birthday party celebrating 14 residents, including 9 Veterans, 100 years or older.

Hosted by Rachel Dobson, Recreation Therapist, the Perley Health community gathered to reminisce and celebrate the extraordinary lives of these centenarians, the eldest resident, a remarkable 105 years young.

Honourees and their special guests entered Lupton Hall via Perley Purple carpet, receiving boutonnieres and homemade birthday cards. Hallway displays showcased the secrets to a long and fulfilling life, with words of wisdom including, “stay true to oneself”, “good, clean living”, “persevere”, “enjoy the outdoors”, and “don't waste a day”.

This year's event held extra significance, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and featured two guest speakers with close ties to Perley Health; retired Lieutenant-General Lloyd Campbell and retired Major-General Duff Sullivan, both RCAF Veterans and board members.

Speeches thanked the members of the “greatest generation” for helping to build the Canada we now know as each centenarian received a unique Century Club certificate. The room joined in singing Happy Birthday followed by a musical journey through the decades performed by Judy Ginsberg, Perley Health musician.

The Century Club was established by the Ozerdinc Grimes Family Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Program in 2017 to recognize centenarians in a positive atmosphere. This year's event was thrown with support from the Perley Health Foundation.

- Meg O'Connell

In the News:

  • June 6, 2024 - CTV News - Perley Health celebrates 'Century Club' honouring those who live to be 100 years old
  • June 6, 2024 - CBC Ottawa Morning - The Veterans of Perley Health's Century Club
  • June 5, 2024 (Video): CTV News' Annie Bergeron-Oliver reports on the Century Club where 14 centenarians, mostly military veterans, were honoured. 
  • June 5, 2024: CTV News -  Reaching 100: Golf, exercise, drink wine daily and 'never give up,' say centenarian veterans

Perley Health's 7th annual Century Club celebrated 14 residents, all 100 years old or older. Pictured: Perley Health Veteran Resident, Beryl Vignale, turned 100 this year!