The Burlington County Senior Expo is returning for its 24^th year with exhibitors, information tables, community services, free health screenings, confidential document shredding and more.

This year’s free expo is Wednesday, May 6, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Masonic Village Fellowship Center, 1114 Oxmead Road, Burlington Township. The event is one of the largest of its kind in the region and is organized by the Burlington County Sheriff’s Office and the Burlington County Department of Human Services’ Office on Aging, to give county seniors and other residents access to information, resources and services at a single location.

“The Expo provides a clearinghouse of information from dozens of agencies and organizations. Their representatives can answer questions on all kinds of topics, ranging from home security, tax relief programs, health care, nutrition, transportation, and recreational opportunities,” said Burlington County Sheriff James Kostoplis. “It’s always informative and we’re excited to host the event and meet with residents.”

Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo said the event also offers opportunities for residents to meet and interact with government staff and leaders.

“Residents of all ages make Burlington County their home because of the activities, programs and businesses we have here, and the Senior Expo is a great place to learn more about the services that are available from our County and our many community and state partners,” added Burlington County Commissioner Randy Brolo, the liaison to the Department of Human Services. “It’s a great opportunity for us to connect with constituents face-to-face.”

Among the more than 50 exhibitors participating in the year’s expo are numerous state and county agencies and departments, social services, health care providers and other organizations, such as the Alzheimer’s Association, Brain Injury Alliance and Friends of Parkinson’s Disease.

Attendees can take a tour of the Masonic Homes campus and facilities, safely dispose of confidential documents with a shredding truck in the parking lot, and get their blood pressure checked along with other free health screenings. 

There will be a free County-sponsored lunch for the first 500 senior citizens who attend, and the Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit will be making senior identification and veteran identification cards for residents who need one.

The senior IDs can be used as a secondary form of photo identification and lists important information such as emergency contacts, allergies, and illnesses. The veteran IDs can function as proof of a veteran’s military status for discounts or benefits at stores, restaurants, museums and other businesses. Veterans seeking ID cards should bring their DD214 discharge papers and a primary photo identification.

In addition to making ID cards, the Sheriff’s Office will be collecting used, non-activated cell phones and chargers from the office’s 911 Cell Phone program. Collected phones will be preprogrammed to call 911 and will be distributed for free to seniors to have as an emergency resource inside and outside their homes.

“Keeping Burlington County residents safe is our top priority and the cell phone program is one of the important services attendees can learn about at the Senior Expo,” said Sheriff Kostoplis. “We hope as many residents as possible will come out and learn more about these and other resources available to them and their families.”