By Mike Kinney
For a quarter century, seniors in the local community have had a prime location in the heart of the city to gather and celebrate the holidays.
That is courtesy of the annual Senior Winter Ball, which will mark a milestone this year when it takes place for the 25th time. The gala will run from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Richmond Memorial Auditorium.
The holiday tradition was started by the City of Richmond’s Commission on Aging in 1999 to entertain and celebrate seniors. The event also raises funds for local senior causes. Attendees wear their finest attire and enjoy dinner and dancing.
“It’s so exciting to see all of the gala attendees all dressed up and seeing their lifetime friends and making new friends as well,” said Bryan M. Harris, secretary for the Commission on Aging. “They will reminisce about old Winter Ball memories and at the same time create new ones.”
Richmond’s very own Chef Josephine Orozco of El Sol Catering will serve at this year’s anniversary dinner. The gala will also feature the band Top Shelf Classics, which plays hits from the 50s through the 80s and has been the gala’s annual performer for the last decade.
The Senior Winter Ball is a symbol of the Commission on Aging’s broader mission of providing enriching life experiences to the local senior community, particularly those in need of them.
“Besides the social activities, we focus on issues such as housing, transportation and health,” said Michelle Hayes, the commission’s chairperson. “We get things done for our senior population.”
Mrytle Braxton, 97, has served on the commission 17 years and is its current vice president. She says her goal is to increase quality of life for seniors through safe social events.
“So many seniors are isolated and are sometime forgotten by society,” Braxton said. “So, our commission is their advocate and makes sure they are not left behind.”
Tickets to the 25th Silver Anniversary Annual Senior Winter Ball are $45 per person, or $360 for a table of eight. They are available in person via the Main Recreation office at 3230 Macdonald Ave., via email at [email protected] or by phone at 510-620-6793.
