Oakdale’s Gene Bianchi Community Center was brimming with people on June 12, as the Stanislaus Senior Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Oakdale, hosted a Senior Information Day.

Foundation President Billie Scott said it was a successful event and reached many local senior citizens.

“It’s primarily to give information and make seniors aware of the services around them,” Scott said.

Among the participants were such organizations as the Area Agency on Aging, Oak Valley Hospital, Stanislaus Veterans Services, area care centers and insurance firms, the Oakdale Police Department’s Senior Outreach program though its CAPS, Community Auxiliary Police Services, and more.

“Oak Valley Hospital was there doing blood pressure checks and we also had an ambulance on site for tours,” added Scott. “We saw about 140 people attend, about equal to last year.”

This was the second year that the Stanislaus Senior Foundation has joined with Oakdale to offer the event, and Scott said they work closely with city staffer Jane Finkenbine on pulling it all together.

“We’re just trying to bring this event back to Oakdale and reach seniors in the smaller, surrounding areas,” explained Scott.

The Senior Information Day was one of the local events that fell victim to the COVID-19 pandemic a few years ago and is just now re-gaining a foothold and becoming established once again.

Along with the many booths presenting information, there was an on-site exercise class offered, an estimated 50 raffle prizes awarded and a luncheon for attendees, provided by local businesswomen Sara Shipman and Michelle Thomasser. Shipman is a Realtor, Thomasser is a Mortgage Specialist.

Scott said they were able to pack a lot in for the senior citizens attending and made the most of a few hours, offering information, some healthy aging tips, a nutritious lunch and more.

She added that organizers continue to fine tune the event, and are looking forward to hosting another Senior Information Day next year.