By Melanie Thomas
Special to the Odessa American
Businesses and organizations with services catered toward the senior population will be featured at the annual health fair fundraiser Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. at the North Side Senior Center.
Senior Center Director Donna Greaves said about 25 businesses and organizations will have tables set up in the multipurpose room and will have information on what all is available to area residents, aged 60 and older. Greaves said the businesses include Texas 211, Legal Aid of Northwest Texas, area funeral homes, banks and assisted living and nursing home facilities.
Closed during the height of the pandemic, Greaves said the center reopened in July of 2021 and has seen 100 to 130 seniors come through the doors daily to participate in the activities offered, which include Bingo, pool, bridge, low-impact exercise, and lunch that is cooked daily in the center’s kitchen. She said some of the Senior women bring their crafts with them to work on at the center. For those not ready to enter the building, she said the center offers a Grab and Go lunch, currently funded through the state during the pandemic.
Desi Castillo, 80, said he plans to be at Thursday’s event and encourages other seniors to come out to get information because it will be beneficial to them.
Castillo, who comes to the center to play pool and Bingo and for the meal, said he has been coming to the center for 25 years.
“I don’t think I would be alive because I wouldn’t have anything to do,” Castillo said, referring to why he comes to the center. He said he is at the center every day, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
He said he was at home going crazy when the center was closed and said he is glad that it is open again.
The Northside Senior Center is located at 1225 Adams Ave. For more information about the center and the event, call 432-337-5281.
