City of Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey and Chief of Staff Jake Wheatley celebrated Pittsburgh area seniors at the second annual Citywide Golden Luncheon on March 14 at the David Lawrence Convention Center.
The event featured a variety of vendors offering practical information and resources to assist and improve the lives of older residents—including CitiParks Healthy Active Living Senior Centers, the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire, the Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging and the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office. Speakers included Pittsburgh Chief of Police Larry Scirotto and Amera Gilchrist, Chief of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch, playing rounds of bingo, signing up to win raffle prizes and taking part in a special tribute to the late Roland Ford, a beloved and integral part of Pittsburgh’s senior community (see sidebar).
“This is our opportunity to thank our senior community for all they have done for Pittsburgh,” Mayor Gainey commented. “Their contributions are the building blocks of our great city, providing a foundation for all Pittsburghers to grow and move forward. Too many times, we forget to look back to see who has come before us. This is our chance to say we have not forgotten you, and we thank you for what your generation has done for Pittsburgh.”
The Golden Luncheon event grew out of individual events that were held for seniors in their respective districts when Mayor Gainey was State Representative in the 24th District and Jake Wheatley was State Representative in the 19th District. Two years ago, they teamed up to host the annual citywide event.
26 vendors were present, including Pittsurgh Regional Transit, Pittsburgh Senior News, Allegheny County Area Agency on Aging, Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office-Senior Justice Advocate, Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Pittsburgh and more.
Roland Ford’s two sisters with Karen Tucker from the Nibbs Center.
Mayor Gainey with members from the CitiParks Lawrenceville Healthy Active Living Center.
Bingo winners were awarded prizes.
Cyndie Carioli and Dick Skrinjar from the Allegheny County DA’s office.
Attendees have fun playing bingo.
Mayor Gainey and guest speakers Chief Amera Gilchrist and Chief Larry Scirotto.
Cyndie Carioli presents gift basket to an attendee.
Mayor Gainey and Congresswoman Summer Lee thank the David Lawrence Convention Center employees.
Attendees stood for a little “Dance and Be Fit” movement.
