by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
For two days each year, the City of Jacksonville takes over the Osborn Center to host a trade show of products and services for seniors in the community. The 14th edition of the Senior Expo concludes at 3 p.m. today.
The event debuted during former Mayor John Delaney’s administration. “The City saw a need to connect seniors with services,” said Mary Ferrell, public relations manager for the Mayor’s Special Events for Seniors division of the Office of Special Events.
The expo featured more than 100 vendors this year along with seminars covering subjects such as fire safety, investments, reverse mortgages and healthy lifestyles, plus a drawing for a trip for two to Alaska. “There’s something for everybody – seniors, caregivers and family members,” said Ferrell.
First Coast No More Homeless Pets set up a booth to educate seniors about the advantages of having a dog or cat in the home.
“Pets help people live longer because they relieve stress,” said Development Associate Dianne Wiles. “Studies have shown if a person with high blood pressure holds a pet in their lap, their blood pressure decreases.”
Mayor John Peyton attended the expo to present this year’s awards for the community’s outstanding seniors. In addition to the Male and Female Senior Citizen of the Year awards and the annual Lifetime Achievement Award, Peyton also announced that former Mayor Jake Godbold, who could not attend the ceremony, is the recipient of the second Special Lifetime Achievement Award in the history of the Expo. I.M. Sulzbacher received the first Special Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000.
Godbold is credited with creating the annual fishing tournament for seniors, the annual holiday party and the M.O.B. (Mayor’s Older Buddies), among other initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Jacksonville’s older community members.
Peyton said Godbold had close ties with seniors when he was mayor from 1978-87. “This award is rare and so is the recipient,” said Peyton.
Nicole Wolfson was distributing copies of the City’s Senior Services Directory at the expo. She is the director of community relations at Sunrise Senior Living and serves on the Mayor’s Board for Senior Services.
Bathfitters Commercial Accounts Estimator Matt Zimmerman with one of the company’s conversion kits for people with limited mobility.
Seniors lined up for free health screenings sponsored by AARP and Walgreens.
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