Aegis Living Galer resident Kathleen Nielsen watches as a Jumbo Jenga set goes tumbling during the Aegis Living Galer’s Aegis Games 2023.
Nandi Butcher
After deciding that the Paris 2024 Olympics were too long to wait, Aegis Living Galer hosted its own Olympic Games last month.
Aegis Games, an Olympic-inspired event series and tournament, was initially created as a fun way for residents and team members to come together when COVID-19 pandemic restrictions started to lift in 2021 and the Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo were just gearing up. The highly anticipated Aegis Games are now a biannual event hosted across all 36 Aegis Living communities.
“Aegis Games creates one more opportunity for our residents to connect, not only with one another, but with our staff as well,” Aegis Living Galer General Manager Nick Sponaugle said. “Our staff is continually learning from the residents we care for, and Aegis Games is not an exception.”
This year, more than 5,000 participants enjoyed more than 45 events during the three-week event. With activities centered on mind, body and spirit, residents and staff participated in everything from “javelin” throws and ping pong to Jumbo Jenga, mind-bending puzzle competitions, official opening and closing ceremonies and more. Favorite activities among Galer residents and staff were trivia, poker/blackjack, and pie eating.
In addition to the core games, each community hosted two challenges. The “Aegis Gives Back Challenge” gave Aegis residents and team members an opportunity to participate in local community service projects. Aegis communities recognized firefighters, sorted food at a food bank, created essential bags for those experiencing homelessness, participated in beach and garden clean-ups, donated knitted hats and quilts for local organizations and more. Aegis Living Galer chose Mary’s Place as its give-back focus.
During the games, residents also enjoyed the “Wellness Warriors Challenge.” Roughly 500 residents participated in daily feats of physical and mental strength to achieve better overall wellness. More than 2,000 hours of movement were logged, which is equivalent to 83 days of moving.
“My favorite part of Aegis Games was competing (and winning) against other Aegis communities,” shared a Galer resident. “The games brightened my day and gave me something new to look forward to. I also really enjoyed seeing the staff get involved, especially in the pie-eating contest.”