Norwalk Senior Center holds Father’s Day celebration

Romolo Acucena enjoyed the drive-thru Father’s Day event at the Norwalk Senior Center on June 17, 2021. The Senior Center staff cheered and held a frame to take photos during the celebration. (Photo by Vincent Medina)

NORWALK — The Norwalk Senior Center held a drive-thru Father’s Day celebration on June 17. Mayor Jennifer Perez, Councilwoman Ana Valencia, faculty and staff cheered as fathers drove by the Senior Center to take photos and receive gifts. 

Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or any significant male figure in a family was welcomed to pre-register for the event. As they drove up, staff cheered as they announced their name and presented them with a cup that read “Dad, the man, the myth, the legend,” and took photos with the mayor. 

The event was sports themed, following the notion that most fathers are sports enthusiasts.  

“It’s really hard to go with dads. You’re either going to go with cars, sports or music,” said Recreation Supervisor Daniel Abrego. 

As a father himself, Abrego had some insight into how to organize the event. He put together a playlist for the event which included songs such as “Cats in the Cradle,” by Harry Chapin, “Isn’t She Lovely,” by Stevie Wonder, “Supersonic Rocket Ship,” by the Kinks, and “We Will Rock You,” by Queen.

Romolo Acucena drove through the event and was overjoyed by the celebration. 

“That was very nice,” said Acucena. “My family will be surprised that they did all this. I have my own celebration planned at home, too.”

As an athletics supporter, Acucena enjoyed the sports theme as well. 

“The event went extremely well,” said Senior Center Manager Janine Andrade. “It made me look forward to Father’s Day. I’m excited to spend time with my own dad.”

The Norwalk Senior Center closed in March 2020 due to COVID-19, but has offered services during the pandemic such as home delivery meals, social services, virtual seminars, parking-lot bingo, and drive-thru events for special occasions and holidays. 

“There were a lot of seniors that came by that are regulars at the center. It always gets us a bit misty because we miss them so much, and we can see they miss us,” said Andrade. 

“It was such a tough year and a half, we wanted to make them feel special. Even though they are not physically in our center, our services and our activities go beyond our walls.”

The senior center manager also said there is no set date for when the facility will reopen to the public. 

Abrego says the senior center is planning a “4th of July barbeque and drive-thru,” which will be limited to 60 people. They are also planning an outdoor movie night, where visitors will be socially distanced and required to wear a mask.