Community Spirit Shines: Palm Bay Chapter Kicks Off Inaugural Senior Celebration

Music, food, laughter, and new friendships filled the room as more than 150 Palm Bay neighbors came together on September 23 for the Senior Appreciation Celebration. Hosted by the AARP Palm Bay Chapter in Brevard County, the free community event offered an afternoon of live music, raffle prizes, resource tables, and even an arts & crafts workshop.

The celebration, supported by a $1,000 Chapter Awareness Grant from AARP’s Office of Volunteer Engagement and AARP FL Fraud team, was designed to raise the chapter’s visibility, recruit new members, and strengthen community ties.

“The main goal of the event was to make multicultural connections in the community,” said Karen Civitate, Vice President of the Palm Bay Chapter. “We wanted to reach out, let people know we are here, and bring different cultures together in one setting where we could talk, visit, and share.”

Attendees enjoyed more than entertainment. The event also featured a fraud prevention presentation and AARP resource tables, with bilingual volunteers and materials in Spanish to ensure accessibility. Community partnerships such as Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Brevard, Helping Seniors of Brevard, and Brevard Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Association (BCASCA) were key partners in helping to promote the event.

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The event surpassed its goals, welcomed diverse people, and generated new member sign-ups and volunteer interest. The attendees praised the event’s inclusiveness, high energy, and practical resources, such as fraud prevention tips.

“There’s already a Chapter in Palm Bay, but many people didn’t know about it,” said Yazmin Alfonso, Associate State Director of Outreach and Engagement at AARP Florida. “This event was about showing them there are opportunities to connect, learn, and get involved.”

Thanks to dedicated AARP volunteers and strong community partnerships, the Palm Bay Chapter plans to make the Senior Appreciation Celebration an annual tradition. This gathering will continue to celebrate adults over 50 while broadening the Chapter’s presence and influence throughout Brevard County.

For more fraud prevention events across the state and access tools, visit Fraud Resources.

If you would like support for your future community events through awards like this, learn more about Grant Opportunities From AARP Foundation.