Seahawks legends share stories and a meal with senior citizens

12 Days of Goodness Seahawks Legends comes to Issaquah Senior Center for a second time.

By Stephanie Quiroz • December 25, 2018 1:30 am

For 12 days in December, Seattle Seahawks Legends join the 12 Days of Goodness event and visit local senior centers and retirement communities in the greater Seattle and Puget Sound area. On Dec. 14, Issaquah seniors had the opportunity to share and swap stories with some of those legends.

Seahawks football legends Dave Wyman, Randall Morris, Alonzo Mitz, Lofa Taupu and Edwin Bailey shared memories, stories and a meal with the Issaquah seniors.

“It’s such a fun event and it really brings out our senior participants together. It gives them something to look forward to,” said Issaquah Senior Center manager Courtenay Garcia. “It’s great to have legends here who are open to share stories and history. It really creates a special vibe — The seniors just eat it up. [They] love having new fun energy in the building.”

Seahawks legend Edwin Bailey signs Jim Harris’ book on Dec. 14. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.

12 Days of Goodness was created by Suzanne Perkins Newman. She is the host of Answers for Elders Radio Show and a lifelong Seattle football fan. Newman recognized that the holiday season can be especially difficult for seniors, thus creating 12 Days of Goodness to bring joy and touch the hearts of seniors. Newman felt there would be a strong connection between the legends and seniors.

Alonzo Mitz said a shared connection to “yesterday” is what makes events like 12 Days of Goodness shine.

“It’s important because this is our yesterday,” Mitz said about the seniors. “In a way, I’m in the yesterday. I feel what they feel. There’s a lot of people in here that feel forgotten. I [want] to come and let them know they’re not forgotten and that they are important. Our yesterday is today.”

The Seahawks Legends share stories and a meal with seniors during the 12 Days of Goodness on Dec. 14. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.

Since Dec. 12, Seattle Football Legends visited senior centers and retirement communities to remind every senior they are loved and cherished.

Legend Dave Wyman said he loves being around seniors. He’s met bright and funny people through the event, he said.

“It’s more selfish for me. It’s really fun,” Wyman said. “If there’s anything that I can choose to do, [it’s] doing something with the elderly. It’s the one thing that appeals to me.”

To learn about 12 Days of Goodness, go online to www.12daysofgoodness.com.

Seahawks legend Randall Morris shares a meal and stories with seniors at Issaquah Senior Center. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.

An Issaquah senior is starstruck as Alonzo Mitz signs an autograph.

From left, Randall Morris, Alonzo Mitz, Lofa Taupu, Suzanne Perkins Newman and Dave Wyman pose with Issaquah Mayor Mary Lou Pauly on Dec. 14. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.

Rooster and Don smile for the camera at the 12 Days of Goodness Seahawks Legends Events on Dec. 14. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.

L-R: Randall Morris, Alonzo Mitz, Lofa Taupu, and Dave Wyman share their favorite football memories with the seniors of Issaquah Senior Center. Stephanie Quiroz/staff photo.