AARP Spreads Resources and Cheer at Jacksonville’s Holiday Festival for Senior Citizens

Every year, the City of Jacksonville comes alive with festive cheer as it hosts the much-anticipated Holiday Festival for Senior Citizens. This year, the Prime Osborn Convention Center was the vibrant backdrop for a celebration that brought together both Jacksonville residents and AARP Florida for some festive fun in the community.

But what is the Holiday Festival for Senior Citizens? Attendees – all aged 60 and over – were invited by the Mayor of Jacksonville, Donna Deegan, to partake in a day filled with joy, laughter, and festivities. The agenda was packed with fun holiday activities including door prizes, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, a traditional holiday dinner, and live entertainment and dancing.

AARP Jacksonville volunteers were also key “elves” at the event, assisting guests and reinforcing their commitment to serve their community.

Larry Dixon, AARP Jacksonville Volunteer Lead and a retired City of Jacksonville employee, shared his joy at returning to the festival in a new capacity. "I retired from the City of Jacksonville, and I was actually one of the founding individuals for this particular event. And it brings me so much joy to come back as an AARP volunteer for the betterment of the community," he said.

The AARP Volunteer Team made sure the festival was not only entertaining but also informative through various Social Security activations, including an interactive Plinko game, selfie stations, and more, all of which with the same message – Social Security is a gift this holiday season!

Stacy Sanders Amparan, Program Manager, Special Events for Seniors at the City of Jacksonville, expressed gratitude for AARP's involvement. "We are so excited to have AARP here because you are providing such valuable resources that our seniors might not be aware of. That education that AARP is providing is very valuable," she said.

We are so grateful to spread both holiday cheer and important Social Security resources to the Jacksonville community! For more news and information on AARP Jacksonville, please visit aarp.org/Jacksonville.