Soprema Senior Center holds Stars, Stripes and Senior Wellness expo

WADSWORTH — Seniors in the Wadsworth area connected with 117 vendor tables offering resources relevant to them during the annual senior expo at the Soprema Senior Center on Friday. This year's theme was "Stars, Stripes and Senior Wellness: Empowering the Golden Years," celebrating America's 250th birthday and the Soprema Senior Center's 50th anniversary. Soprema Senior Center Director Lori Wilkinson said the expo featured the opportunity for seniors to get vaccinated, the chance to win a variety of prizes and walk-in Medicare appointments. Caregivers were also considered "VIPs" at the expo and had access to a relaxing space. "This is a place to come learn anything that would help seniors age well from senior living facilities to the Medina County Park District, our fire and police departments, transportation and a lot of county offices," she said. "There are lots of resources for seniors because we want them to age well in Wadsworth and beyond." The Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging and the Wadsworth Older Adults Foundation sponsor the expo through a family caregiver grant, Wilkinson said. The Wadsworth Older Adults Foundation was selling tickets for its 12 Days of Christmas fundraiser. "People can buy $10, 12 Days of Christmas tickets, and it directly supports the Soprema Senior Center and everything we do," she said. "They're going to have a big event on Dec. 11 with the final drawing, and our mayor will be there." Wilkson thanked the volunteers, including the Wadsworth High School football players and a team of people from the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities, for helping to make Friday's event happen. "Thanks to the city of Wadsworth, including the parks department, since they're going to be helping us at the end of this event," she said. "I encourage everybody to come out and check out the Soprema Senior Center because of all the amazing, valuable resources we have." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.