FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
More Than Shelter for Seniors^®
Tim Carpenter
Executive Director
(818) 255-0430 fax (818) 255-0433
tim@mtsfs.org

FOURTH ANNUAL 'SENIOR OLYMPICS' SHOWCASE OF
OLDER RESIDENTS' TALENTS TO BE HELD MAY 15^th

POMONA, Calif. - Providing a showcase to prove that seniors still have much to offer, More Than Shelter for Seniors^®, will hold its fourth annual Senior Olympics on Saturday, May 15th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Palomares Park and Community Center in Pomona.

According to Tim Carpenter, Executive Director of MTSFS, the event is expected to draw more than 300 senior competitors and observers from 15 affordable senior housing communities located throughout Southern California, which currently receive on-site programs and services from the nonprofit organization.

The schedule of events for this year's competition includes walking, horseshoes, music, talent, arts, crafts, “washer toss” and a healthy recipe competition.

Palomares Park is located at 499 East Arrow Highway in Pomona, between Garey and Towne avenues.

Palomares Park is located at 499 East Arrow Highway in Pomona, between Garey and Towne avenues.

“All of us look forward more and more each year to this event, which has become a major highlight for not only those who participate, but for all of us who plan and stage it each year,” Carpenter said. “It's a wonderful event that proves the ability and the desire to be the best do not diminish with age.”

Carpenter noted that last year's entrants averaged 72 years of age, live on an average income of under $11,000 a year, and live with a variety of physical and social limitations, as do many seniors. “The difference is that these seniors are trying to change the way we all think about seniors by living their lives to the fullest. Everyone has a need to continue growing and learning, and to have a sense of purpose in their lives,” he said.

MTSFS provides life-enhancing programs and services to senior residents of affordable housing, focusing on activities that stimulate the mind, body and spirit, to achieve more active engagement in life, help prevent illnesses that could require more costly types of care, and promote residents' ability to continue living healthy and independent lives.

The program serves a total of more than 2,000 low- and moderate-income seniors living at communities located in Ontario, Anaheim, Duarte, Pomona, North Hollywood, Norwalk, Whittier, Azusa, Fountain Valley, Huntington Park, Long Beach and Norwalk. Programming currently includes college-level educational classes, health and wellness programs, bus service, creative arts programs, recreational activities, health education, a food bank, volunteerism, intergenerational mentoring programs, and many others.

MTSFS is soliciting donations in support of the upcoming Senior Olympics as well as to help underwrite and expand its ongoing programs. Specific items that Carpenter is seeking for the Olympics include water, water bottles and sprayers, a sponsor for the video to be produced from the event; and a sponsor for commemorative t-shirts to be created.

For more information about MTSFS or the upcoming Senior Olympics, or to make a donation, contact Carpenter at (818) 255-0430, or by e-mail at tim@mtsfs.org.