We have been Celebrating Seniors (older adults) in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park for 15 years. It started as an idea to raise public awareness around issues related to older adults, to promote senior groups and organizations, to help seniors with emergency needs, and to foster cooperation between the organizations that serve older adults.
Since then it has become a source of community connection, giving older adults, and the organizations that serve them, the spotlight for one short week. We celebrate past achievements, and we create opportunities for socialization that help forge lasting friendships.
Celebrating Seniors Week (May 8-15 this year) reminds me that seasons may change but not the need to recognize the contributions that older adults make to our community. We honor and celebrate because we have a lot to be thankful for.
This year we are hosting what we think will be the world’s largest intergenerational spaghetti dinner. The free dinner will be hosted at three sites from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 9: the Oak Park Arms and American House Oak Park, and the Howard Mohr Community Center in Forest Park. We are bringing young and old together to share a meal and conversation, plus play SINGO — a cross between Bingo and Name That Tune.
It will take both young and old to win the prizes. Whether you consider yourself young, old or somewhere in between, here’s your invitation to join us.
For more information, including details about over 20 other events throughout the week, please visit www.celebratingseniors.net.
Jim Flanagan
Chairman, Celebrating Seniors Coalition