Seniors dance and celebrate Veterans Day in Renton

The City of Renton hosted the dance at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center, and admission was $5.

By Joshua Solorzano • November 14, 2024 3:15 pm

Renton held its second Veterans Day seniors dance Nov. 8, attracting a crowd of seniors who enjoyed refreshments, honored veterans and danced the night away.

For $5, anyone 50 or older was invited to celebrate veterans through a dance at the Don Persson Renton Senior Activity Center.

Renton Senior Center Community Events Coordinator Sonja Mejlaender said the center strives to provide a quality, diverse lineup of programming that’s local, runs during the daytime, and is low-cost. In addition to their daytime programming, Mejlaender said the center provides some evening programming, such as the Veterans Day dance.

The event included refreshments catered and sponsored by GenCare Lifestyle Renton at The Lodge at Eagle Ridge, a free photo booth, a DJ, a dance floor and a thank you to the veterans who served. To commemorate Veterans Day, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, and veterans were asked to stand up when Mejlaender recited the poem “Freedom Isn’t Free,” by Kelly Strong.

“That’s why we have the freedoms, and the liberties that we have is because of those who have served,” Mejlaender said. “We’re looking forward to a great evening tonight.”

Mejlaender said her favorite part about senior programming is bringing seniors together. She added that the seniors love the programming that occurs Monday to Friday, all day long.

Mejlaender said she’s worked for the city for about 25 years, but she joined the senior center staff about six months ago. Since joining, Mejlaender said she’s learned that the amount of programming and the senior engagement is remarkable.

“They let us know what they like, and some new ideas, and things they want to see in the future,” Mejlaender said. “So we noodle that and see how we can bring that to life.”

Mejlaender said the seniors had been looking forward to the dance, but the next big event is the Thanksgiving dinner, which usually attracts over 200 seniors.

“If you haven’t joined any of the activities or classes or programs, please come down, take a tour, see what we’re all about,” Mejlaender said. “Meet the staff, meet the volunteers, and come be active at the Senior Activity Center.”

To learn more, contact 425-430-6633 or email recreation@rentonwa.gov.