Celebrating 50 years of aging support with MVES

MYSTIC VALLEY ELDER SERVICES has partnered with North Reading and 10 other communities for the past half century, providing independence and dignity for older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers since June of 1975. A year-long celebration of activities began this month with a 50th anniversary luncheon for the town’s seniors at Aldersgate Church. Among those attending were (front row, l-r): Select Board member Catherine Morrin, MVES Board member Janice Donatelli, MVES Advisory Committee member Mary Prenney, Mary Ann Nay (District Director for state Sen. Bruce Tarr), Kim Manzelli, Director of the Edith O’Leary Senior Center; MVES CEO Lisa Gurgone; (back row, l-r): MVES Board President Brian Snell, Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, MVES Board member Kristin Ahlman, and State Rep. Brad Jones. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

NORTH READING — Residents, state officials and town leaders gathered last week to celebrate five decades of partnership between the Town of North Reading and Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES).

To commemorate its 50th anniversary this year, MVES is sponsoring special events in collaboration with each of the 11 communities it serves. The North Reading celebration was the first of this event series. Guests enjoyed lunch, giveaways, a raft of raffles, and live music by Andover Sax Guy and multi-instrumentalist Mark Sensinger. Right at Home sponsored the event in partnership with MVES.

Lisa Gurgone, MVES Chief Executive Officer, and North Reading Senior Center Director Kim Manzelli, served as co-hosts for the festivities.

The MVES team was proud to receive a proclamation recognizing the agency’s years of service to the community from Selectwoman Catherine Morrin on behalf of the North Reading Select Board.

LUCKY DAY! Winning the first raffle prize presented during the 50th anniversary luncheon of MVES was Carol Bourque. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

State Rep. Brad Jones, Mary Ann Nay, District Director for state Senator Bruce Tarr, and Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto each shared their thoughts on the progress of North Reading aging services over the past five decades and the importance of the town’s partnership with Mystic Valley Elder Services.

MVES offers a variety of programs at the Edith O’Leary Senior Center, ranging from Healthy Aging classes like Tai Chi and A Matter of Balance to technology education courses. MVES also organizes and serves the daily lunches that help the Senior Center serve as a community gathering place for the town’s older adults.

The Senior Center and MVES work closely together to support older adults throughout the community. Senior Center staff refer individuals to MVES who may benefit from services the agency provides, such as transportation assistance, Medicare advice, Meals on Wheels and in-home supports. The Senior Center plays a critical role in connecting the town’s older adults, reducing isolation and ensuring residents are aware of the programs and supports available to them.

LOUISE ANDERSON was pleasantly surprised to be drawn as one several winners of raffle prizes at the kickoff luncheon to celebrate the 50th anniversary year of Mystic Valley Elder Services. (Maureen Doherty Photo)

In addition to the events series planned in each community it serves, Mystic Valley Elder Services is also celebrating its 50th anniversary year in several other ways. Throughout the anniversary year, MVES be highlighting the progress the agency has made to improve the lives of older adults, people with disabilities and their caregivers. Visit www.mves.org/mves50 to learn about nominating an outstanding individual for the MVES Community All-Stars Award, an upcoming event with a nationally recognized anti-ageism leader, and more. Questions about any of these events and information on sponsorship opportunities may also be directed to the MVES Development Department at 781-388-4802 or development@mves.org.