Thank you, Columbia County! Senator Marchione’s “Golden Gathering” was a huge success!

For Immediate Release: October 12, 2013

Contact: Josh Fitzpatrick, (518) 455-2381, fitzpatr@nysenate.gov

Cell: (518) 542-2413, joshuakevfitz@yahoo.com   

Thank you, Columbia County! Senator Marchione’s “Golden Gathering” was a huge success!

Close to 1,000 Columbia County senior citizens attended today’s free community health and wellness event held at Columbia-Greene Community College, more than 75 exhibitors packed the College’s gymnasium for one of the biggest Golden Gatherings ever – Senator Marchione pledges to continue the Golden Gathering in 2014

Senator Kathleen Marchione’s (R,C-Halfmoon) sponsored “Golden Gathering” – a free community health and wellness event held earlier today to improve the quality of life for Columbia County senior citizens and their families – was a huge success, as close to 1,000 Columbia County senior citizens attended, making it one of the biggest Golden Gatherings ever.

Today’s Golden Gathering – the 21^st annual – was co-sponsored by Columbia-Greene Community College and featured over 75 exhibitors who provided valuable free health care, medical and quality of life services for seniors, including a flu shot clinic and free flu shots for the uninsured, as well as free vision, hearing and blood pressure screenings. Today’s Golden Gathering also featured countless other free services and helpful information, including registration for the STAR property tax exemption program and child car seat safety checks, to name just a few. Attendees also were able to enter door prize giveaways and enjoy first-class entertainment, courtesy of the Philmont Community Choir and Rip Van Winkle Brass Ensemble, along with free refreshments provided courtesy of Columbia-Greene Community College.

“I am beyond thrilled that so many senior citizens from across Columbia County took time out of their busy schedules on what was an incredible, beautiful weather Saturday in October to be part of the 21^st annual Golden Gathering. I had the opportunity to meet so many of my Columbia County constituents and make many new friends,” Senator Marchione said.

“According to many attendees, this year’s Golden Gathering was the biggest ever. That was wonderful to hear, but, more important, was the feedback I received from nearly everyone that today’s Golden Gathering provided truly helpful, free health care, medical and quality of life services and information. Today’s success was shared with Columbia-Greene Community College, which was an incredible partner, the more than 75 exhibitors who generously gave of their expertise and, of course, all the Columbia County senior citizens who are the heart-and-soul of this important community event. I was proud to carry on former Senator Saland’s tradition of sponsoring the Golden Gathering and am already looking forward to doing so again in 2014,” Senator Marchione concluded.

Editor’s Note: Attached are photos from today’s Golden Gathering at Columbia-Greene Community College. Photo credit: Chris Shields.

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