Approximately 200 people attended the first annual Senior Health and Resource Fair, hosted by the Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission on May 11.

Held at the Performing Arts and Event Center, dozens of vendors, nonprofits and resource organizations from the city, county and state had information available for seniors and their families.

“We thought it went really, really well,” said commission chair Lana Bostic, thanking the fellow commission members and Amy Glandon, executive assistant to the council. “We were very pleased with how many people were there. … I hope people got a lot of good resources and will benefit from it.”

The commission made it a point to include a vast range of diverse resources among the 48 vendors — from legal and financial service providers to clutter control and library services to resources such as GenPride, the first LGBTQIA+ senior-focused organization in Washington, and the Auburn Survivors of Suicide organization.

“We tried to kind of hit all different areas [of life],” Bostic said. “Not just assisted living facilities or health facilities, but things that affect all seniors … they need to now where they can get resources and fun things,” she said.

The sponsors of the event included the Multi-Service Center, Life Point Law, Affinity Senior Transitions, Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Humana and Steel Lake Presbyterian Church.

In 2020, the nine-member commission published a comprehensive pamphlet — the Senior Resource Guide for Greater Federal Way — featuring various resources in Federal Way and immediate surrounding areas.

“This is like a living, breathing pamphlet,” Catherine North previously told the Mirror. North is one of the original commissioners on the Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission and led the resource fair to fruition.

The commission is in the process of updating the Senior Resource Guide and is planning to have the new guide published in early summer. On June 24, the Federal Way Farmers Market is hosting a community resources and health fair, which the senior commission will also be attending with information to share with local residents.

While the commission is basking in the success of this first-ever event, early planning is beginning for next year.

“We’re definitely planning on having the fair next year,” Bostic said.

The Senior Advisory Commission’s public meetings are held at 2 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month at Federal Way City Hall. There are three open seats on the advisory available to fill.

For more information on the advisory and its resources, visit www.cityoffederalway.com/page/senior-advisory-commission.