NEWBURY — From vaccines to massages to bone density screenings, along with over a dozen local organizations, the Council on Aging was brimming with information Wednesday as it hosted its third annual Know Your Community Fair.
The COA was completely packed as seniors rotated in and out of the building, with tables set up throughout for the visiting groups.
Meanwhile, Conley’s Pharmacy had a vaccine drive set up in the side room of the COA, with the line reaching out the door and into the main room.
“We’re just really happy with the turnout, and we’ll do it again next year,” COA Director Cindy Currier said.
She said it was the best turnout in the event’s three year history.
“I do think the fact that the vaccine clinic is more than just flu shots was very helpful — and then all the different vendors that we have,” Currier said.
In addition to the many vendors and the vaccine clinic, folks could also get a bone density screening.
“The bone density screening is particularly important for women as we age, but they give you a little printout and you can take that to your doctor. You just take your shoe and sock off,” Currier said.
She said other referral services they had attending were AgeSpan, Newburyport Society for the Relief of Aged Women and the local food pantry.
“There’s a lot of different resources here that we connect with all the time. But it’s nice for people to just meet with them,” Currier said.
Among the groups in attendance was the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary (DAVA), whose mission is to support disabled veterans and their families. The Friends of the COA had been collecting bottle caps for the DAVA for nearly a year, according to outreach coordinator Jannine Vaciliou.
“They melt the bottle caps down, and they’re used to make prosthesis the veterans,” Vaciliou said.
DAVA member Connie Conland said she was grateful for the support of the Friends group.
“It’s been awesome,” Conland said.
One of the seniors checking out the event was Geraldine DeMaio, Select Board member Bill DeMaio’s wife. She said she the event was “very convenient” as she left the vaccine clinic.
“I got a massage, which was nice. And this is always the high point for everyone,” DeMaio said, referring to the vaccine clinic.
Looking to get seniors interested in the program she will be bringing to the COA soon, Cheryl Wall of Senior Footrise said she will be visiting once a month and was happy at the interest seniors had shown throughout the day.
“I can’t believe it. In fact, I had just spoken to the director and I said, I think we may need two days. There’s such an overwhelming response. People actually want to start taking better care of their feet,” Wall said.
She shared the most common questions she received.
“How to care for ingrown toenails, really, and also what to do about bunions,” Wall said.
Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: mpetry@northofboston.com.