Everyone knows that the senior population in Fuquay-Varina is growing in leaps and bounds, but one event in our community certainly underscores that reality. The Senior Services Expo, held every May, is a sure indication of a community beginning to understand the unique needs of its retirees and how to address them.
In 2012, Steve Tucker of Granny’s Helper was concerned that the senior population in Fuquay-Varina was under-served by the community. He was serving as the Chair-Elect of the Chamber of Commerce, and used his position to create a Senior Services Council. The Council brought together senior service providers from all over the area to meet at the Chamber once a month and learn more about each other. The idea was that once all the different providers learned about what each other offered, a natural referral process would begin that seniors in the community would benefit from.
This group spun off the Active Adult Task Force, which began working to bring a senior center to Fuquay-Varina. The Active Adult Task Force is still in full-swing today, with bi-monthly meetings and several projects designed to promote the need for a senior center.
In 2014, Steve Tucker handed the reins of the Senior Services Council over to Stephanie Galloway of Assured Audiology and Hearing Solutions, and she began working on plans to raise the expectations of the Council to include service projects. After a few months of discussing project ideas, the group decided to pursue a Senior Services Expo. A project like this had been attempted a few years prior, but had not had a great deal of participation. Stephanie was convinced that the timing was perfect for trying it again, especially with the weight of the Council behind it.
The first Senior Services Expo was held on May 27, 2015 at the Fuquay-Varina fire station on S. Fuquay Ave. It was a huge success, with several dozen vendors and close to 100 attendees. The Active Adult Task Force manned the check-in table and collected email addresses of people interested in hearing about a senior center or getting involved with their work. Many of the Senior Services Council members had booths, but there were a large number of vendors who were NOT members as well.
It was sticky hot that day, but the firehouse was a great place to stage an event – easy access for the disabled, a well-known location, and very supportive staff who made the Council welcome for the afternoon.
The event was so successful, that there was no question that the Senior Services Council would organize another one in 2016. “This event fills such a need in the community,” Stephanie Galloway shares. “We expect that this year’s event will be even bigger than last year’s and that eventually we will outgrow this space at the firehouse and have to find a bigger venue.”
Plans for the 2016 Senior Services Expo are now well underway. The Expo is scheduled for Wednesday, April 27th from 10am-2pm at the Fuquay-Varina fire station on S. Fuquay Ave. The decision to move it from May to April was made to hopefully avoid the heat of late May because of the outdoor venue. The basic set up will be the same as last year, with more than 40 vendors showcasing a variety of services that appeal to the 55 and over set. “We are really hoping to build on the successes of last year and add even more value for our attendees,” Galloway says.
Some of the topics covered at this year’s event will include healthy aging, audiology and hearing healthcare, retirement and long-term planning, home health care, aging safely in place, supplemental insurance, legal matters, and much more. The Expo also plans to offer the paper shredding truck again this year for seniors who have stacks of personal papers to dispose of.
In addition to the vendor’s booths, the Council is working to organize break-out sessions lasting 15-20 minutes in length. Presenters will provide more comprehensive and in-depth information on tops that may have an impact on seniors’ daily lives. The goal is to provide information to enhance the lives of our seniors. These break-out sessions would be a great addition to an event that is already providing a ton of information to the community in one place!
Another new feature of this year’s Expo will be the partnership between area businesses and the event. Local restaurants and retail locations will be offering specials for seniors who attend the Expo. “We are trying to make it a community-wide event that enlists the goodwill of businesses in the community who want to make a day of it,” says Council member Steve White. “If seniors can shop and grab lunch or dinner before or after they visit the Expo, then it’s a win-win for all of us.”
So, mark your calendars for April 27th and plan to attend the Senior Services Expo at Firehouse #1 on So. Fuquay Avenue sometime between 10am and 2pm. And, if you have any questions about the Expo (how to participate, sponsor, or volunteer), the Senior Services Council, or the Active Adult Task Force, please contact the Dr. Stephanie Galloway at 919-762-0358.
