For the second time this year, Total Turf sports complex will host its senior expo next Wednesday to give the township’s senior citizens a chance to learn about some of the programs and resources available to them.
“It’s an outreach event for seniors to learn about local resources,” said Diana Dubbeling, one of the event’s hosts. “It’s become quite the regional event, with around 300 to 400 people being expected to attend. There will be over 70 vendors there.”
The senior expo is a tri-county event, according to Dubbeling, and will feature people and vendors from Gloucester, Camden and Burlington counties. Guests can expect a variety of health-care services regarding Medicare and other programs, including home improvement vendors, the Animal Welfare Association and other sellers.
Gloucester County Veterans Affairs will provide local vets with information regarding its services and any potential benefits.
“(The senior expo) is a good chance for people to do some early holiday shopping,” said Dubbeling. “There’s a great amount of door prizes from vendors that people enjoy.”
For entertainment, there will be music from radio station WVLT 92.1, an oldies station based in Vineland. One of its DJs, Lou Costello, will interview vendors. There will also be a pickleball tournament, a game similar to tennis that is particularly popular with seniors. Though the event has seniors in mind for its target demographic, there will also be youth groups on hand to help out.
“Washington Township’s Air Force JROTC will have their color guard there,” said Dubbeling. “Other youth organizations will come out for community service.”
Proceeds from the expo will benefit the SpectraCare Foundation, an organization that specializes in helping local veterans.
“They have recently opened their Carlton R. Rouh Veterans Center in Lindenwold for veterans to drop in, relax, play pool, and take advantage of an expanding array of programs and resources,” Dubbeling noted.
Expo hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The next senior expo is expected to happen at some point in the spring of 2023.