One of the hardest parts of growing up is when we lose touch with people as the years go on. Whether it’s from moving, life changes, or just don't have time, it happens. Lake Station Lions Club brings people together who may not have seen each other in years or decades at their annual Senior’s Dinner.
Camaraderie, food, and laughter filled Lake Station’s Fire Department as local seniors came together to share a meal and an afternoon of fun. The Lions group of Lake Station partnered with the local fire station to host its annual Senior Dinner and this year’s feast was the biggest so far. Sixty seniors came in for a festive meal with dessert all while enjoying Christmas music and the chance to win raffle prizes.
Lions President Laurie Haussman said that this heart-touching event brings tears to her eyes every year because of how much it means to the seniors and she loves being a part of that.
“This event was slowly going away before we took it over,” Haussman said. “This is a way for our seniors to get together. Many just stay home, they don’t have people to eat with or they just don't have people around to have dinner with in general. We bring them all here so they can have a family meal.”
Haussman says that this event has grown over the years as it is open to anyone and they want to see more faces around. She also said this event couldn’t have been possible without the support of local businesses and organizations, but most importantly the support from the community.
Lake Station local John Long has been coming to this event for 32 years and will continue to participate because he loves it.
“This event means a lot to us. It's all about the seniors in our city,” said Long. “I’m also a member of the Lion’s Club but I have seen how much this has grown, and I know our seniors are grateful for it which is an awesome feeling.”
Many new faces showed up for this year’s dinner. Some of the attendees are year-goers but some heard it by word of mouth from friends or just saw it on social media. It doesn’t matter how they heard about the event. The Lion’s Club is happy to serve its community.
Local Senior Paul Oldaker heard about the event the morning of, by word of mouth and decided to join. Prior to COVID-19 he came but didn’t know it came back. Oldaker said he is grateful for events like this because it gives seniors a chance to rekindle friendships, catch up, and meet new people.
“You see all the people coming together and all of us having fun,” Oldaker said. “ I was a firefighter for 22 years and this was a way for me to see the new stations and equipment but also a way to see some of my old buddies I hadn't seen in a long time. Many of us grew up and went separate ways, and lost touch, but things like this bring us back together.”
Member of Lake Station's organization F.I.G.H.T (Friends In Gratitude Helping Together) Rose Colovos said that she helps out with as many senior-related events as she can because they have a special place in her heart. F.I.G.H.T helped with providing food for the Senior Dinner and the centerpiece poinsettias that were later raffled off.
Colovos said an event like this means more to seniors and the community than anyone realizes.
“Many seniors don't have close family here. Quite a few of them here live on their own, or their family lives far away, so they depend on the community,” Colovos said. “I know they enjoyed the food and enjoyed getting together and talking. I just loved every minute of this.”
Along with this event, F.I.G.H.T actively helps its senior locals with snow plowing in the winter, and grass cutting in the summer and much like the senior center, they provide food boxes to those in need. Lake Station Lions Club, Senior Center, and F.I.G.H.T said they would do anything they can for their seniors and they will continue to do so for as long as they can.
Other raffle items were made by Pam Shaffner, an active city member and volunteer at the senior center. This event is put on by the community for the community. If you’re looking for a good meal, great conversation, and a room full of camaraderie, a place where strangers soon become family, add Lake Station’s Senior Dinner to your list.
To learn more about Lake Station events, you can visit: lakestation-in.gov/events
