Exercise club gives back to Botanical Garden

The Queens Botanical Garden Morning Exercise Club offers its senior members many benefits from the chance to limber up at the picturesque 39-acre landscape five mornings a week to the priceless social component the senior citizens in the group can enjoy.
About 10 years ago, the grateful seniors decided to give back to the Queens Botanical Garden (QBG) by organizing a fundraiser every summer. Last week, they reached an all-time high, presenting the Flushing-based QBG with a check for $8,675 to help their recent renovations. They received donations from each member of the club, and from other visitors to the QBG as well.
&#8220It's just to show appreciation to the Garden,” said Cliff Chen, the president of the exercise group, &#8220because as a public entity, they can never have enough money. We're just doing our share to help the Garden maintain their status quo. We have always done it to show our appreciation for them letting us use their Garden. That's why we raise money every year.”
This isn't just any exercise group; this one specializes in Tai Chi, a martial arts discipline that emphasizes health. It combines mediation, martial arts, and health, to relieve the physical effects of stress on the mind and body. The group was founded by Raymond Chen (no relation) 15 years ago for &#8220senior citizens to get physical exercise, which they need,” Cliff Chen said.
Chen, 77, joined the group in 1999 at the beginning of his retirement, with his wife, Marie, both seeking to improve their balance. &#8220Older people have to worry about that a lot,” he said. &#8220[Tai Chi] strengthens your leg muscles considerably. … It's the type of exercise which develops your physical stamina and coordination. It strengthens the body in general. Any type of exercise is good, as long as you do it on a consistent basis.”
They start every morning at 7:30 a.m., finishing a few hours later. Unless it rains or snows, or the temperature drops below 20 degrees, the Queens Botanical Garden Morning Exercise Club will show up. &#8220It's a very popular use of open space,” said Susan Lacerte, the QBG Executive Director.
While it's a help to seniors trying to remain healthy, it also serves as a way for those living alone to meet others. &#8220There's camaraderie when they come to the group,” Chen said. &#8220There's a physical and social part to it.”