GREEN VALLEY, Ariz. (KGUN) — Thousands of Green Valley residents and visitors gathered today for the 23rd annual KGVY Senior Boomer Fair at Desert Hills Lutheran Church.

Hosted by KGVY Radio, the event brought together more than fifty vendors, nonprofits and volunteers with a special focus on promoting health and wellness among older adults.

The Boomer Fair, one of the most popular events in the Green Valley area, offered free health screenings and vital resources, emphasizing the importance of preventive care and community support.

“Boomer Fair is, to me, above all else, health,” said KGVY radio host Guy Atchley. “All types of free screenings including vision, skin cancer, blood pressure and more.”

With health as a cornerstone of the fair, organizations such as the Community Health Center offered a range of essential services, including blood pressure checks, glucose tests and diabetic foot exams.

“It will eliminate more visits to the ER,” Edilia Quiroz, outreach manager at United Community Health Center, explained about the medical tests. “We just want to be part of the community and represent what we do.”

The Lion’s Club also offered free vision tests to participants, which became a specialty of the organization.

“So far we’ve screened about 85 people,” said Del Zander, a 30-year Lion’s Club volunteer. “Also, during the year, between all the children in the schools, we examined about 3,500 hundred children.”

The organization also collects used eyeglasses to distribute in over 20 countries to those who cannot afford them.

While physical health was a prominent theme, emotional well-being also received significant attention.

Green Valley Cares, a local nonprofit, highlighted the lesser-known but critical issue of loneliness. The volunteer organization makes home visits to lonely older adults or offers phone calls, “depending on the convenience” of the client.

“We recognize that loneliness is the biggest health problem in the United States today,” said Lynne Severe, founder of Green Valley Cares. “What happens when you’re alone is the body breaks down and other health issues come into play.”

Severe spoke positively about the Boomer Fair’s ability to bring the community together.

“It’s really wonderful because the networking that happens here is remarkable,” she said. “It’s certainly the goal of many here to be able to meet the needs of all the residents here.”

Cynthia Wolcott, founder of All Seasons Geriatric Care and Management, also spoke about the need for comfort and connection. She started her organization a year ago after working as a social worker and working in hospice care for 30 years and describes herself as “the daughter you always wanted by your side”.

“We’re an aging community and it’s not an easy journey,” Wolcott said. With All Seasons, she offers grief groups, caregiver support groups, and technology support for older adults.

Judy Schmidt of Green Valley has been visiting the Senior Boomer Fair for years and has enjoyed learning about new volunteer opportunities like the Animal League of Green Valley. She also took advantage of the free tests available.

“I like the fact that we can have different medical tests,” she said. “I did a sun test to see if I had any sun damage.”

Green Valley Council estimated that 2,000 to 2,200 attendees are expected at the event, showing the fair’s importance as a hub for health resources, community connections and awareness.