El Centro celebrates local seniors with western-themed Appreciation Day
EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA) – The City of El Centro honored Imperial Valley seniors Thursday with its annual Senior Appreciation Day, bringing together residents aged 60 and older for a lively morning of community, celebration, and gratitude.
This year’s western-themed roundup, titled “Seniors, Saddle Up! The Best in the West — Our Seniors,” packed the Dr. Martin Luther King Sports Pavilion with food, live music, dancing, and raffles.
“This event that they did for the seniors was very nice,” said Raul Cervantez, an Imperial Valley resident who attended the celebration. “Gifts, party, joy, music. I hope that everyone got the chance to come and enjoy themselves.”
For many in attendance, the day served as an important hub for health and wellness resources. The pavilion hosted information booths, nutrition agencies, and regional adult centers showcasing the local services available to local seniors.
“It’s amazing being in that room because you’re around people from all different agencies,” noted Rosalind Summers, a member of the El Centro Community Senior Club. “They have a lot to offer. You can find out information that you didn’t know about health, about hospitals.”
Summers and her fellow club members set up a booth at the event to actively recruit new participants.
“Come join our club. Come see us at the community center. We want you to be a part of us,” Summers added.
Organizers emphasized that events like Senior Appreciation Day are vital for reducing social isolation among the valley’s older population.
“A lot of them again don’t go out, so here they can get together, meet other people, and also friends that they haven’t seen in a while,” explained Richard Ignacio, the Coordinator for the El Centro Adult Center.
To ensure all regional residents could participate, free transportation picked up seniors from neighboring communities, including Brawley, Calexico, and Imperial.
The city coordinated logistics alongside community partners, including the Imperial County Transportation Commission and Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego.
“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for our seniors…if it wasn’t for the people who came before us to show us and make us who we are today,” said Leah Arellano, Executive Assistant for the Community Services Department. “So this is just a way to give back to them. Our senior population is growing, so we do need to keep them active. I know when I’m that age, I hope that there’s a sense of activities for me to do.”
With an increasing turnout from residents and growing support from community sponsors, regional leaders are already focused on expanding the program next year.
“This event is continuing to expand,” Ignacio said. “The word gets out there. More agencies are joining us, so we’re already thinking about next year.”
For information on future senior events, activity calendars, and local center programs, visit the City of El Centro Official Website.
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