WESTLOCK — Every June for more than 25 years, the province has celebrated seniors — for their hard work, efforts and contributions to our cities and towns.
This year, during Seniors’ Week June 3-9, Westlock and area seniors are invited to attend a senior resource fair June 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Westlock Memorial Hall, hosted by the Westlock and District Family and Community Support Services (FCSS).
Seniors’ Week has been recognized since 1986 to celebrate the contributions seniors make to enhance the quality of life in Alberta. Seniors’ Week was inspired by the vision of the late Alice Modin, who began a campaign to start a seniors’ day in Strathcona County 38 years ago.
“We did do the senior resource fair last year but this year, we’re hoping it’s bigger and better,” said organizer and FCSS program co-ordinator, Maureen Schiller.
The free community event is returning for its second year, and will highlight programs and services that support seniors and their caregivers in the Westlock and surrounding areas. It wil feature more than 20 agencies, groups and organizations, including Alberta Health Services, Homeland Housing, the Westlock Art Club, Beltone and many more.
“There’ll be information for seniors on different things that they may be entitled to, different clubs, different interests, as well, we’re bringing in a free lunch,” said Schiller. “Seniors in the area (can) come and find out information that they (maybe) didn’t know about.”
Schiller noted how the senior resource fair has helped seniors in the area, particularly following the pandemic years, where people may have entered their senior, golden years and were not familiar with the programs, resources and services available.
“It’s always good to have something like this so that people are made aware of different things that they may not realize are happening in the community,” said Schiller, noting the important role seniors have in a community.
“(Seniors’ Week) honours them and thanks them for the contributions they’ve made throughout the years to build Alberta, build Westlock and the community.”
