LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Lake County seniors and elders will be honored at a special event that recognizes their services and many societal contributions at the fifth annual Senior Summit.

Online registration is required for the one-of-a-kind event at www.lakecountysilverfoundation.org. For help with registration, call 916-248-0704.

On May 6 at the Twin Pine Resort & Casino Event Center in Middletown, the Lake County Silver Foundation will again host the summit — an event featuring inspirational senior awards, a health and wellness faire, speakers, a complimentary lunch, raffles and more.

Seniors are encouraged to register early to secure their place for the event. “The last time we held the Summit at Twin Pine, walk-ins had to be turned away,” said event organizer Olga Steele.

“Thanks to Lake County sponsors we are able to host the event at no charge to seniors,” said founder and president of the Silver Foundation, Jim Steele.

The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake have been major sponsors since inception. “We are pleased to again sponsor this special event,” said Council Chairperson Sherry Treppa. “I know of no other nonprofit organization that sets aside a day exclusively to honor a generation known for their service to others. We are proud that four elders will be among the group receiving special recognition as inspirational seniors at this year’s summit.”

Voted best hospital in Lake and Mendocino counties, Sutter Lakeside Hospital also signed on this year as a major sponsor and will be on hand at the event to take part in the health and wellness faire.

“Our commitment to exceptional care extends beyond the walls of our facility,” said Sutter Lakeside CEO Tim Stephens. “As proud sponsors of the 2024 Senior Summit, we reaffirm our dedication to serving the community with unparalleled family medicine and specialty care services in emergency medicine, physical therapy, orthopedics, home care and hospice.”

“We want to thank all sponsors,” Jim Steele said. “Calpine and the Sheppers, for instance, have been regular contributors since the beginning. We are also grateful for the support of The Tribal Health Consortium, the Rotary Club of Clear Lake, and many friends including Mary Heare Amodio, Jackie Riche, Dr. Bob Gardner, the Arroyos, Hospice Services of Lake County, The AmeriCorps, and our board of directors who help at this event and all foundation projects.”

In addition to the health and wellness fair, a central and popular feature of the event are the inspirational senior awards. This year, 13 seniors — nominated by their peers — will be honored.

The newest member of the Silver Foundation Board, Bernadine Tripp, recalls receiving the award. “Being recognized by the foundation and Mike Thompson, our local Congressman, meant a lot then and still does,” she said. “I’ve been watching the work of the foundation and am very pleased to be on the board, doing my part to raise awareness of the issues important to our generation.”

The Lake County Silver Foundation was formed to improve the quality of life for seniors and raise awareness of the many gaps in services.

“The needs of the fastest growing demographic in Lake County, the state and the nation are also growing,” said Steele. “The summit is one way we can thank and bring services to Lake County seniors and elders.”

In addition to the summit, the foundation partners with Sutter Lakeside Health to bring isolated seniors a bit of cheer during the holidays and with Lake Links to provide transportation services within and outside the county.

A companion pet project started four years ago continues to help low-income seniors with their pet care needs and a program to benefit in-home care providers and seniors is in the works.

Summit doors open at 11 a.m. and the program begins promptly at noon.

For more information about the Senior Summit visit the website, www.lakecountysilverfoundation.com or call 916-248-0704.