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Senior Services Celebrates Milestone Birthday

By Nicole Fogarty

Henry Street president David Garza jumps out of a "cake" at street fair event, with people applauding

Above: HSS Executive Director David Garza surprising the crowd

Henry Street’s Senior Services division hosted a very special birthday carnival last week, celebrating a combined 120 years of serving the Lower East Side!

At the outdoor event in a Vladeck Houses courtyard, seniors enjoyed a host of carnival games, competing for prizes like popcorn, hats and festive beads. The dance floor was packed all afternoon, especially during a special performance by Abrons Arts Center artists.

A representative from New York City Councilwoman Margaret Chin’s Office presented a proclamation, thanking Senior Services for their decades of hard work on the Lower East Side.

Before the afternoon concluded with a lively raffle and karaoke jam session at the Senior Center, a very special birthday gift was presented to the celebrating seniors: Executive Director David Garza, emerging from a giant birthday cake!

Garza addressed the crowd from his cake podium, saying that he had three wishes for the seniors at this birthday celebration: That everyone knows Henry Street Senior Services will always have a place in the community for seniors to gather, access services, and thrive; prosperity and health in the coming year; and that someone would jump out of a cake for his birthday.

The event was a huge success thanks to event sponsor Allen & Overy LLP and Anne Brown, an Allen & Overy volunteer, as well as the dedicated Henry Street staff who helped out.

This year’s birthdays:
Henry Street Senior Center   65 Years
Senior Companion Program  25 Years
Vladeck Cares NORC             20 Years
Meals on Wheels                       10 Years

Click here or below to view more photos from the celebration.

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