NORFOLK, NEB. -- The YMCA was buzzing with excitement as it hosted its first Aging Joyfully Expo, drawing a vibrant crowd of all ages. The event kicked off with a heartwarming giveaway: 100 handcrafted blankets and essential first aid kits, courtesy of the non-profit Crafting for a Cause.

Attendees had the chance to connect with key vendors, including Faith Regional Health Services, various insurance agencies, and the Animal Shelter of Northeast Nebraska, making for an engaging and informative experience.

"We all came together with the senior networking group and the guidance of Tina Collison at the Y,” said Aging Joyfully coordinator Peggy Belt. “This was a beautiful collaboration of ideas, so we created an expo designed not just for seniors, but also for those ages 50 plus who might be navigating choices for their moms and dads. We also wanted to show that there is so much more to aging than just medical worries.”

“We are all going to age, and while we may not personally be seniors, we all have parents who are going to go through the aging process,” said organizer Tina Collison. “For us as children to be right there alongside them and have the knowledge about estate planning, Medicare, and Medicaid, is why we wanted to showcase it all.”