Since 1963, when President John F. Kennedy first proclaimed May as “Senior Citizens Month,” (now Older Americans Month) government officials and many municipalities across America have focused on the month to publicly acknowledge the contributions of seniors to the nation and their communities.

Seniors enrich and strengthen our country. Older adults support our society by providing millions of hours of volunteer, community and civic service through formal organizations and a variety of informal arrangements. They enhance our communities and personal lives by sharing and transferring knowledge of cultures and life experiences among generations. Older Americans’ courage, hard work, character and values laid the foundation for the prosperity we enjoy today. They are a treasured link to our past and have much still to offer our future. Thankfully, the contributions of older adults will continue to flourish in the coming years, since older citizens of today and tomorrow promise to be among the most active and engaged older adult populations in our nation’s history.

All of the diverse agencies, organizations and individual practitioners in Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging enthusiastically salute the elders in our community. We pledge to continue working to enhance their quality of life. We honor their wisdom, experience, patriotism and devotion to family. We deeply appreciate that they often postponed their own dreams to fulfill the dreams of their children.

In 1990 several Eden Prairie business owners and a city employee (Joanne Bartel, Becky Dorr and Sandy Werts) organized a day long “Information Fair, Senior Services Forum and Open House.” In 1991 the city began formally to celebrate seniors with a week of activities. After 2002 this became a month-long celebration known as “Senior Awareness Month.” Since the second year of the event, money has been raised to support activities by selling buttons, which have not changed in price in 18 years! Buttons are available at the Senior Center, city hall and from many supporters for $1 each or 6 for $5. With each purchase of a button you get a free raffle ticket for a beautifully hand-made quilt, created and donated by the Senior Center Quilters or one of two handsome hand-crafted plant stands, created and donated by the Senior Center Woodshop.

We encourage everyone to celebrate Senior Awareness Month by enjoying the many activities that are planned to honor our elders this month. Some of these events are meant to increase awareness regarding senior services and activities. Some of these events are just for fun! They include several music programs, bowling, a progressive dinner, travel, dancing, senior resources panels, history talks, vintage hat show, technology, cards, winery outing, police lunch and learn, picnic BBQ, movies, an orphan train presentation, health fair, safety workshop, veteran’s talk and our new Community Center’s grand opening. There truly is something for everyone. Events are posted on the city Web site at: www.edenprairie.org and published in this paper. Brochures are available wherever buttons are sold. Please come. Bring your children. Bring your parents. Remember that one of the finest gifts you can give is the gift of your time and attention.

Eden Prairie Professionals in Aging is a professional networking organization made up of representatives of diverse organizations, all committed to the welfare of seniors in our community. For more information on EPPIA, please visit our Web site at www.edenprairieaging.org.

Submitted by EPPIA members: Joyce M. Konczyk, geriatric care manager, 612-227-7414; Lisa Schmidtke, Housecalls Network president, 952-926-2484; Joanne Bartel, Prairie Adult Care cirector, 612-741-9163; and Sandy F. Werts, recreation coordinator, city of Eden Prairie, 952-949-8300.