WILTON – The fire engine garage in the public safety building was transformed into a community center this morning, as visitors stopped at booths to pick up brochures and learn about local resources for seniors.
The 2nd annual Senior Resource Fair was organized by Preventing, Recognizing, and Responding to Abuse in At-Risk Populations, a community group comprised different organizations that provide services in Franklin County. Sponsored by Franklin Savings Bank, Wilton Benevolent Association and Tyngtown Club and hosted by the Wilton Police and Fire Departments, the event drew dozens of visitors before the first speaker Thursday.
The first fair had been held at the Franklin Memorial Hospital, PRRAAP organizer Kayce Hunton of Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Services said. Nine or 10 weeks ago, PRRAAP had begun planning the new event with an eye toward connecting seniors with resources they might otherwise be unaware of.
While PRRAAP had been focused on the fair over the past several weeks, Hunton said, they were looking to assist other populations at higher risk, such as people with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia or children with special needs.
Participating businesses and organizations included Arruda Senior Planning Center, Healthy Community Coalition, Franklin Savings Bank, Expenet, the United Way, Western Maine Transportation Services, Safe Voices and Maine Legal Services for the Elderly, among others. Law enforcement personnel from the Wilton, Farmington and Jay departments were present, and Sheriff Scott Nichols represented the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to the informational material provided to the attendees, raffle drawings were held every 30 minutes. Lunch was provided to all attendees.
Speakers included Laure Johnson of SeniorsPlus, a presentation of identity theft put on by Farmington and Jay Police Department detectives, Jill Randall from Legal Services for the Elderly, Nichols from the FCSO and District Attorney Andrew Robinson.
This is wonderful.
If we add a society forget to take care of our elderly…we are doomed.
Times are tough but we must do this.
Thank you all for doing it.
This event was very nice and informative. There were all forms of information for the people, not just the seniors. The vendors were nice, pleasant and helpful with their type of expertise, with all kinds of give-a-ways. The speakers were great and we were able to put a face with a name. A very special kudo and thank you to Chief Heidi. Oh! the hamburgers and hot dogs were also good.