Thousands of members of Lakewood’s thriving age 55+ communities thronged Lake Terrace Hall on Tuesday at a special Expo hosted by The Square Senior Center.
The Square offers an array of activities and programs to benefit local seniors, under the direction of Mrs. Chani Stefansky; with active support from Lakewood Township Senior Services Liaison Mrs. Dvora Hertz.
At the special Lakewood Township booth in the lobby, attendees were given a Welcome Packet – filled with maps, important phone numbers and other pertinent information for Lakewood seniors; in addition to live assistance with voter registration and other important government-related services.
The Expo featured a diverse array of exhibitors – from the medical, financial, legal, home improvement and other sectors – that cater to seniors’ unique needs.
State Senator Robert Singer; Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe Miller; Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein; Committeewoman Debby Fuentes; Police Captain Steven Allaire; Township Manager Pat Donnelly and COO Trish Komsa; Ocean County Senior Services Director Maria LaFace and Director of Transportation Michelle Arnold; Rabbi Lipa Klein of Neighborhood Navigators; and other dignitaries; attended the event.
The Lakewood Township Committee; in addition to Senator Singer and the offices of Assemblymen Avi Schnall and Sean Kean; presented special Proclamations in honor of The Square and its vital work on behalf of Lakewood’s seniors.
Mrs. Dvora Hertz expressed amazement at the quick growth and development of The Square and various projects that benefit Lakewood seniors. She thanked the Lakewood Township Committee and other government officials for their staunch support, which has been an invaluable catalyst of these programs’ success. “We have so many friends here,” Mrs. Hertz summed up. “Your support makes all the difference.”
“We are always working to make life more pleasant for Lakewood’s seniors,” Committeeman Lichtenstein vowed. He pointed to the effective collaboration between the Police Department and other Township agencies with senior communities, as well as some of the unique government related programs available to local seniors, including special County buses from senior developments to key destinations around town.
Mrs. Hertz announced the soon-to-be opening of The Square senior center in Downtown Lakewood, as well as a new twice-weekly hot meal program in conjunction with Ocean County. “Our celebration is not just about where we’ve been, but where we’re going to!” she said, to thunderous audience applause.
Not every senior belongs to a 55+ community. Have never heard of The Square.