Published in the October 10 – 23, 2018 issue of Morgan Hill Life

Dorie Sugay

Santa Clara County is the first Age-Friendly County in the United States to be recognized by the World Health Organization — and Morgan Hill was the first city to join this county-wide initiative.

All you have to do is stop by the Senior Center in Morgan Hill and you will know that our community is serious about this initiative and its vision to make the city “a place where older adults thrive as members of a community created for all ages.”

When you open the door, smiling faces welcome you as you see people come and go between classes in quilting, or a Mahjong or billiards and ping-pong sessions, or rushing to get their lucky seat at Bingo. Down the hall you will see Debbie Vasquez, who heads up the Senior Center, and Denise Melroy in a discussion — and you know they are on a mission.

As part of the initiative, the city of Morgan Hill Senior Advisory Committee in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce is launching Healthy Aging Week. It starts at 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 8, and goes through 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.

A functional fitness session, followed by a Hawaiian-themed Dance (with live Hula performance) will launch this initiative. There will be several fitness sessions, yoga, free movies (with popcorn and refreshments), interpretive hike, a presentation on veterans’ benefits, and free bocce ball tournament to add to the excitement.

The week will conclude with the annual Senior Resource Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12, at the Community and Cultural Center.  Representatives from various businesses, corporations, nonprofits and service providers will be available with information, give-aways, raffle prizes and free lunch sponsored by Westmont. A newly formed sub-committee of the Senior Advisory Committee composed of Chamber of Commerce members, took on much of the planning of the various other events happening throughout the week — a cooperative effort manifesting that Morgan Hill is serious about making this city “age friendly.”

Everyone is invited to participate in Healthy Aging Week. Flyers will be available throughout town. You owe it to yourself to check out what is in store for you or your loved ones.

You are also invited to stop by the Centennial Recreation Senior Center at 171 W. Edmundson Ave. in Morgan Hill to see first-hand how committed our community is to older residents. Sign up for activities … or just enjoy the delicious meals at the Senior Café.

For more information about the Healthy Aging Week or the Senior Resource Fair contact Debbie Vasquez, (408) 310-4254 or find the events on facebook.com/morganhillseniors.