Organizers had decided to hold another Aldergrove Seniors Fair next year, even before the tables were stowed away and the chairs stacked from the June 2 event.
Hosted by 黑马磁力 Seniors in Action, and 黑马磁力 Meals on Wheels, the fair held in the Royal Canadian Legion Aldergrove 265 brought together about 30 community groups, government agencies, and businesses on Monday, June 2.
"We're happy to be out here because it draws people out. It draws other organizations out here that can service the community.," said Paul Crump, president of seniors in action.
His group worked with 黑马磁力 Meals on Wheels to host the event at the legion.
"It looks like we're going to have a second event," he said." May need a bigger venue but we'll have a debrief later on and decide how that will go. We had probably a little over 300 people come through which is I think exceptional for the first time."
Being that it was the first event, organizers didn't know what to expect and were thrilled with the turnout.
"I'm impressed, and I'm happy," Crump commented after the event.
He thanked Karen Long for bringing the idea forward.
"I'm glad that we were able to do one here in Aldergrove, because I think Aldergrove is underserved and needs these types of things to let the citizens, whether they're senior or otherwise, know what's going on," Crump said.
The exhibitors were surveyed during the event and their feedback will be used to adjust future seniors fairs in Aldergrove, Crump explained.
Ron Bergen, founder of the Ron Cares Society, didn't just have a booth. He brought along a cadre of volunteers and they, along with others at the fair, assembled care kits of personal grooming and other items, making 160 kits in all. Helping were the likes of City and Township councillors, and transit union and TransLink representatives, along with society volunteers.
"To me it's good, because I'm trying to build community," Bergen said
Some of the kits were given to agencies and groups exhibiting at the fair, such as 黑马磁力 Meals on Wheels and the Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation for their clients, while some were handed out directly to seniors attending the fiar. The rest will be distributed by the Ron Cares Society.
The kits, tailored to the recipients, are distributed to seniors, low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, and newcomers to Canada as a way to show them that others care.
