CLEVELAND, Tenn. — More than 100 senior citizens and 22 vendors and agencies attended the first senior citizens information fair here.
“We weren’t quite prepared for the number that showed up, but it tells us there is a need in our community,” County Commissioner Lisa Stanbery, an organizer of the event, told Cleveland City Council members this week. “Too many times people are left alone, in the dark in some cases, without heat. This is a way we can get out to seniors the necessary services we already sponsor.”
The event was held at the Cleveland/Bradley Senior Activity Center, operated by Cleveland/Bradley Services.
Mrs. Stanbery thanked the City Council, the County Commission and County Mayor D. Gary Davis for taking part. Both the city and county governments recently passed resolutions supporting the event.
Participants ranged from the county trustee’s office to city and county fire and law enforcement.
A bonus, Mrs. Stanbery said, was seeing care providers, government agencies and vendors comparing notes on what each has to offer seniors.
A future information fair may include recreation needs for seniors, including a “Book Buddy” program and computer classes at the Cleveland/Bradley Public Library, she said.
“The follow-up calls have also been overwhelming,” Ms. Stanbery told county commissioners.
Many commissioners also attended the information fair.
“I was impressed with the number of vendors, service agencies and suppliers that cater to senior citizens,” Commissioner Ed Elkins said. The next fair may require a larger facility, he said.