Medford celebrates Mystic Valley Elder Services 50th
The event at the Medford Senior Center included a barbeque lunch, games, music, and dancing.
The following was submitted by Mystic Valley Elder Services
Residents and dignitaries gathered recently to celebrate five decades of partnership between the City of Medford and Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES).
To commemorate its 50th anniversary this year, MVES is hosting special events in each of the 11 communities it serves. “MVES Day” was held at the Medford Senior Center on Aug. 14 with a full day of activities and entertainment.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark, who visited the Senior Center to help celebrate, noted it was also the 90th anniversary of Social Security.
“Everyone deserves to know kindness and comfort at every stage of their life,” Clark told the attendees. “Every person of every age and every ability deserves to know that they are safe and they have a community that stands behind them …That doesn’t just happen; it’s a choice that we make.”
Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn presented a proclamation to MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone on behalf of the city, recognizing the agency’s growth since 1975. Today MVES has a staff of over 300 and serves over 20,000 people.
State Rep. Christine Barber shared her thoughts on the progress of Medford aging services over the past 50 years and the importance of the city’s partnership with MVES. State Rep. Paul Donato was also on hand to speak to residents and help celebrate.
Gurgone recognized Senior Center Director Pamela Kelly and the Medford Council on Aging for their instrumental role in coordinating a wonderful day of memories and for their ongoing leadership in supporting older adults in the city. Kelly is also a member of the MVES Board of Directors.
Over a hundred residents attended MVES Day. They tried out tai chi, played cornhole, received vital sign screenings, and enjoyed giveaways and raffles. After a barbecue lunch, DJ George Landers spun some classic tunes and residents hit the dance floor.
MVES would like to thank the elected officials whose attendance made the day special, Metropolitan Home Health Services Inc., which sponsored the event, the City of Medford and its Council on Aging, the Winchester Hospital volunteers who helped serve lunch, and the residents of Medford.
Mystic Valley Elder Services is marking its 50th in several ways, including an awards program to recognize outstanding local individuals, a gala event with a nationally recognized anti-ageism leader, and the events series in each of the MVES communities. To nominate someone for an MVES Community All-Star Award or learn more about upcoming 50th events, visit www.mves.org/mves50. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For information, contact the MVES Development Department at 781-388-4802 or development@mves.org.
