Community Gathers to Celebrate the 80s and 90s

On Feb. 15 the Grand Terrace Senior Center held its annual Gold & Silver Banquet honoring seniors who had reached 90 (Gold) and 80 (Silver). The banquet, in its 19th year, honored over twenty seniors who celebrated longevity. For Arlene Weaver and Don Bartee the potluck was an event close to them, as they have played a large roll in pulling the event together for the past 14 years. “It brings a lot of love from the community,” said Weaver. “It is very rewarding as a senior, to have seniors look forward to it." According to Committee Chair, Flo Elliot, the event has always been volunteer-based. All the food that was provided was made and donated by the seniors. Additionally, the prizes given for the raffle were donated by local business. “I think it is awesome. We had almost a hundred people here today,” said Elliot. This is the first year Elliot has coordinated the event and ran a committee to do so in addition to her usual job as decorator. “It was a big job,” said Elliot, “but, I would do this again in the heartbeat. These people love it. How could you not want to do this?” Elliot is a Redlands resident who came to the Senior Center several years ago and began volunteering. “When I was ready to retiree I did a pre-retirement program where I taught half a year. At the time I went to a senior center in Redlands and spent half the time explaining why I wasn’t teaching. My friend told me to come to Grand Terrace. This is the only senior center in this entire area that has no paid people. No one is paid here. We are all volunteers. The second year I was here Don Davis said he was looking for someone to be on the board and thought I would be good. Ever since I started coming here, and that was before I was 62, I have helped. I helped washing tables, with the lunch program, I was vice-president, even though I am gone three months out of the year to visit my family. Every year I have been an active volunteer even though this isn’t my city. Why? Because it makes me feel like I belong if I can volunteer and help somebody,” said Elliot. Over sixteen gold seniors were recognized with a certificate presented by Sara Garcia on behalf of Assemblymember 47th District, Cheryl Brown. The seniors who were recognized, were highlighted for their longevity and contributions to Grand Terrace. “As a field representative for Assemblymember Brown, we are here every month. The Assemblymember believes in recognizing our seniors on their birthdays. For seniors who don’t have a family this gives them an opportunity to come out,” said Garcia. “It is always great when we see our youth in communities with seniors. Additionally, the participation with the seniors donating the food to events like this, it brings out everyone. That is the message for them to have a day to meet and enjoy food, to come together and share. It is an opportunity for them to highlight themselves.” Assemblymember Brown sends out representatives each month in her district to not only give out certificates to recognized seniors, but to attended community meetings to see what may effect seniors and to stay current. “It is important for the community to recognize that the seniors are still here and are active as well,” said Garcia. Seniors Recognized Included: • Martha Cisneros • Miyako Clore • Maryetta Ferré • Ray Flemmer • Donna Frank • Lucy Juarez • Barbara Khacherian • Ellen Myers • Dottie Pomfret • Lydia E.Rogers • Jerry Shepherd • Lynn Sumner • Myra Williams • George Wood “I think this is our party and we celebrate everyone. We celebrate our friends who are eighty and ninety year olds,” said Elliot. Additionally in attendance were members of Grand Terrace High School Interact Club who were volunteering at the event to help the seniors with their meals, socialize, and clean-up. Members in attendance included: • Vincent Rasso • Victoria Rasso • Daniela Garcia • Victoria Morrel • Lydia Valdez • Yasmin Trejo • Ariana Torres • Pamela Cruz • Vincnte Almazan “I never have been able to come out and volunteer with the senior citizens before. It was interesting and fun to get a new experience. Additionally, volunteering as a whole is an opportunity to get a perspective and wider range of understanding as individuals,” said President of Interact Club, Vincent Rasso. “I was proud of these kids,” said Elliot. “They helped; they sat and talked with the seniors. This was their time with the seniors and they were very interactive.” Grand Terrace Mayor Darcy McNaboe also participated in the celebration and said, “I think this a great event that the seniors put on. It is so wonderful that we have such a vibrant senior community and the celebration of life for those in their eighties and nineties means that we have some pretty good health in our community.” Members from Grand Terrace Financial Department were also in attendance: • Cynthia Fortune • Dolly Gonzales • Eric Bougie The seniors in attendance were able to enjoy an array of raffle gifts ranging from Tupperware, gift baskets, and gift certificates from local businesses including: • Professional Nails • Stater Brothers • Grand Terrace Chiropractic • Barnett Real Estate • Nickelodeon Pizza • Mike Pichardo Health Insurance Consultant • Chillz Frozen Yogurt • Baskets Ahh La Cart • Thai Kitchen • Sara's Barber Shop • Bella Tresse Salon. • Big and Small Pet Grooming • Burt’s Jewelry • Antonious Pizza Cafe • Food Connection • Grand Terrace Blue Mountain Senior Villas • Grand Terrace New to You Additionally, members of the senior center who donated gifts included: • Don Bartee • Flo Elliot • Pat Galenec, Avon • Arlene Weaver “It would be nice if we had more help,” said Elliot. “It would be wonderful if we could get people who are fifty-five, sixty, or sixty-five to start coming and volunteering. I would love to see and get more participation from those living in Grand Terrace,” said Elliot.