Nonprofit Spotlight: Gray Panthers


Founded in 1974, the Long Beach Gray Panthers are celebrating their 45th year! Long Beach Gray Panthers focus on senior issues through education and advocacy, and invite supporters of all ages to participate in meetings and activities.

They will host the 2019 Senior Fest at the Long Beach Senior Center at 1150 East 4th Street from 10am to 2pm on Saturday, May 4. The event theme is “Seniors are Superheroes: Old and Bold,” sponsored by the Port of Long Beach and the Law Offices of Sandra Diaz. The event will feature local resources for seniors and their allies and caregivers of all ages. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume reflecting their superhero.

Myron Wollin, President of the Long Beach Gray Panthers states: “There are many changes coming to our community that will impact older adults. Climate change, changes in voting processes, new discoveries in extending the quality of senior lives, and being counted in the upcoming Census, and these are just a few of the topics that are meaningful to everyone, not only seniors. We want everyone to prepare for the future, as lives will depend upon it.”

The Senior Fest will celebrate the talents of local older adults, provide chances to win door prizes, offer free lunch, and opportunities to learn about the new voting system coming in 2020.

General Meetings of the Long Beach Gray Panthers are the first Saturday of the month at 10:30am at the 4th Street Senior Center at 1150 East 4th Street, Room 202. Meetings feature a speaker, lively discussion and information on issues impacting older adults in the community. The next meeting is June 1.

For additional information, call 562-336-7340 or email Longbeachgraypanthers@gmail.com.

Civic engagement – you know it when you do it!

RPNA at Wilson High demonstrating to high school students the people and elements to civic engagement. Our team of 7 individuals shared the arc from engagement, interaction, social change to voter registration. Plus PADNet film team and Dave Clement taking photo footage.

BIG heART event – the “All Hands on Deck” – the boards are undergoing final completion including pieces of mosaics into each design, grouting, cleaning and then framing each piece for exhibition. All of us who have participated are on pins and needles waiting for the first show!

And, we got a bit of film of of the BIG heART

The CAAP presentation at 7th Street Church – was terrifically informative. Stay tuned. If you missed this Climate Action and Adaptation Project (CAAP) presentation we are going to have an entire event for you and your household to ‘catch up’.  June 8th at Rose Park 10am-1pm, SpringTime by the Sea (see the image…get it?!) .

We are bringing the climate action efforts to you – in our neighborhood! There are so many contributors we don’t have room  to list! Want to do a science project on climate? Need to get your children on board, or maybe your parents!? There are interactive stations, awareness games plus a lovely day in the park.

Current contributors: Port of LB, LB Development Services, CAAP, Long Beach Public Library, Time Exchange, Gray Panthers, Aquarium of the Pacific, Los Cerritos Wetlands, Green job listings, and more.

Photo and message booth – tell us (and the world) your concerns, art table, scavenger hunt, Mobile Makerspace program- The Mobile Studio and more.

No need to organize a ride, look for parking – this event takes place in your backyard. Need info? info@rpna.org