Belmont's Community Resource Faire Draws Hundreds

From transportation and long term health care services to bathroom grab bars and financial planning, the Community Resource Faire in offered something for everyone over 50 on Friday.  

More than 30 vendors and several hundred visitors participated in the event hosted by .

Organizer Laura Guluzzy was pleased with the turnout.

“This is the first year we’ve done this on our own,” Guluzzy said. “And even with the bad weather, we’ve had a good turnout.”

Belmont has participated in similar events in the past in conjunction with Senior Roundtable, a consortium of aging organizations in San Mateo County. Even before the lunch break, Guluzzy estimated 200 visitors had passed through.

Vendors with a special focus on senior services including SamTrans, Mills-Peninsula, AARP and Edward Jones set up tables offering printed materials, free gifts, and one-on-one information and advice from representatives. Even State Assemblymember Jerry Hill had a table with literature for older constituents and a staff member present to answer any questions.

Because transportation is sometimes the biggest challenge for older adults, there were several vendors offering information on how to get around if you no longer drive.

One such service is Get Up & Go, sponsored by the Peninsula Jewish Community Center.

“For just $5, we’ll take older adults anywhere in the county round trip [except to the coast],” program manager Betty Burr said. “We offer personal service with professional van and bus drivers and volunteer escorts to help passengers in and out of the van or bus and into their appointments or shopping, or whatever they may need help with.”

She added, “The service is open to anyone--you don’t have to be Jewish!”

Sirinee Tippakorn, financial advisor with Edward Jones, also serves on Belmont’s Senior Advisory Council. She was enthusiastic about the event, and the fact that her company has an office right around the block.

“Financial security is important to seniors, and I hope people know this resource is in town to help with financial planning,” she said.

She added that Edward Jones has been rated No. 1 in customer satisfaction by JD Power and Assoc.

Belmont residents Margot Cheechov and Hartley Laughead took a break from the rain to meander through the Senior & Community Center collecting information and freebies.

“It’s great to have an event like this right here in our Senior and Community Center,” said Cheechov.

Other popular vendors those offering a senior living options, including Home Instead, a private duty, non-medical home care service.

Tyler Morch, business development manager explained that Home Instead helps seniors stay in their own home by offering help with daily activities such as cooking, cleaning, transportation and companionship. He, too, was pleased with the traffic he had at his table during the event.

In addition to visiting vendor tables, guests were treated to lunch, blood pressure testing, giveaways and door prizes.

Recreation coordinator Guluzzy hopes the Community Resource Faire will become an annual event, and in the meantime, she invites community members to stop in and check out the new , a catered lunch prepared four days a week by the Poplar Creek Grill.

“It’s a wonderful lunch that we offer Tuesday through Thursday. There is a suggested donation of $4 for guests 60+ and a fee of $8.50 for those 59 and under. We request two business days advanced notice, so call or come in to sign up.”