Orland Township Senior Drop-In Returns

Smiling eyes and excited chatter filled the air as Orland Township seniors happily entered the Orland Chateau for the Township’s popular Senior Drop-In - socializing, card games and a long-awaited session of bingo, according to the office of Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady.

Due to the pandemic stay-at-home order, Orland Township suspended most senior activities, including drop-in, back in early March. After an eight- month hiatus, Township seniors were happy to see each other and get back to a regular activity.

Supervisor O’Grady was on hand to welcome the seniors back and made his way around the room to speak to each and every senior in attendance.

“We have missed our Orland Township seniors and have been working on a way to restart our popular senior group activities in a way that is safe for everyone,” said O’Grady. “Since our activity center is unavailable for our regular activities until after the holiday season, we have worked out an agreement with the Orland Chateau to have drop-in once a week, on Tuesdays, for our seniors and to also have senior luncheons in November and December.”

The Orland Township Activity Center will be unavailable due to being an early voting site for the presidential election and then utilized to sort donations for the upcoming holiday programs. In previous years, Senior Drop-In has not been held during the month of December due to sorting for the Holiday Program.

Following CDC guidelines, bingo attendees are required to wear masks except when eating or drinking. Tables are spaced for social distancing and will have no more than six individuals at a table.

Every Tuesday, through the end of January, Orland Township will hold senior drop-in and bingo at the Orland Chateau, 14500 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park, with the following measures in place:

• Attendees must be a registered senior with Orland Township. Residents, 55 years of age and older, who do not have an Orland Township senior number, may come into the Township, 14807 S. Ravinia Ave., Orland Park, and register. Proof of residency is required. There is no cost to register and receive a Township number.
• Space is limited and seniors must reserve their seat ahead of time by calling Orland Township at (708) 403-4222. Walk-ins will not be allowed.
• Light refreshments, including coffee and tea, will be served.
• Attendees are required to wear masks at all time, except when eating and drinking. Attendees will also be asked to remain seating during the event, except when necessary, and to practice social distancing.
• Disposable bingo cards will be sold for 50 cents each. Orland Township will provide attendees with a set of personal and reusable bingo markers that they should bring to each session.
• Orland Township bingo will only be held on Tuesdays, at the Orland Chateau, 14500 S. LaGrange Rd., Orland Park, through the end of January, 2021. Doors will open at 10 a.m. and bingo will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Orland Township will also be hosting senior holiday luncheons in November and December. Information for those luncheons, including when tickets will go on sale, will be available at a later date.

For more information on Orland Township’s senior bingo or to reserve your seat, call the Township at (708) 403-4222.