Stamford Senior Center Holds Lives Blossom Fundraiser

On Thursday, May 4, the Stamford Senior Center held its 9^th annual Lives Blossom Fundraiser. The event, which raised $62,000 brought together over 150 people from the greater Stamford region to the Italian Center of Stamford.

Guests enjoyed cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction to benefit the Stamford Senior Center. The center has been a lifeline for older adults for over 27 years, providing a space to remain active and connected to community in a safe, welcoming and diverse environment.

“It is incumbent on all of us to support our older adults, advocate for funding and ensure that they have meaningful and quality programs and services available to them to remain engaged, maintain their independence and feel included in the greater community, said Christina Crain, Executive Director of the Stamford Senior Center.

Each year the Lives Blossom fundraiser is held during Older Americans Month. At the time of the month’s designation in 1963, only 17 million Americans reached their 65^th birthday and there were few programs like senior centers to support them. Today, there are over 11,000 centers across the country serving more than 1 million older adults each day.

The fundraiser also recognized three dedicated Stamford Senior Center technology volunteers, Rouja Brzozowski, Peter Ebstein and Stuart Madison. This extraordinary trio has devoted their time, energy and expertise over the past seven years to empower seniors to stay connected to the community and their loved ones.

“We are grateful to Rouja, Peter and Stu for sharing their expertise every day with our members. Their passion for improving the lives of others is remarkable and contagious, and their support during COVID was essential for seniors isolated at home.” said Crain.

Looking toward the future, the team at the Stamford Senior Center is advocating for a freestanding senior center. With 25,000 older adults in Stamford, the center’s current location in the Government Center doesn’t allow for expansion.

“The Stamford Senior Center fills a major gap in society, and our older adults deserve all of the amenities that senior centers in surrounding towns enjoy,” said Crain.

The Stamford Senior Center would like to thank all of the sponsors who made the Lives Blossom fundraiser a success, including Silver sponsors Corcoran Centric Realty, First County Bank, Pitney Bowes, Cassena Care and  FieldPoint Private. Special thanks to Bronze sponsors AMJ Real Estate Services, Oasis Senior Advisors, Osborn Home Care, Pepsico, Sovereign Financial Group, Stamford Health, Totilo & Company LLC, Waterstone on High Ridge, as well as Robert and Clare Kretzman and exclusive media sponsor, Stamford Magazine/Moffly Media.