Photo Flash: THE LAST SHIP's Aaron Lazar Hosts Event for Seniors in NYC

JASA (www.jasa.org), a leading non-profit agency serving older adults in the New York metropolitan area, hosted its annual cocktail reception on May 12th, Celebrating Seniors, honoring Brendan Keany of Penn South and Mutual Redevelopment Houses, Inc., at the New-York Historical Society. Check out photos from the event, featuring Broadway actor Aaron Lazar, below!

As JASA's primary fundraising event, the annual Celebrating Seniors Reception brought together nearly 250 celebrities, activists, philanthropists, nonprofit officials, JASA Trustees, and other leaders from the worlds of business and government to raise proceeds that benefit JASA programs serving more than 43,000 seniors in the New York metro area.

Actor/singer Aaron Lazar emceed the inspirational program, which successfully to date raised over $415,000 - a record-breaking sum for JASA's annual event that exceeded the organization's goal - to help fund programs including meal delivery, recreation, chronic health management, home care and housing.

"JASA is so grateful to this year's event attendees and supporters for their contribution toward making our Celebrating Seniors Cocktail Reception a success once again, said JASA CEO Kathryn Haslanger. "Each year brings new challenges as we continue to witness firsthand the urgent need for increased funding for services that benefit older adults. The success of this year's event brings us one step closer toward improving and expanding JASA's life sustaining programs that provide a crucial safety net for one of the City's most vulnerable populations."

Notable attendees also included former Knicks players Cal Ramsey and Larry Johnson; event sponsors John Catsimatidis and Martin Halbfinger; Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal; JASA Chair Leonard Boxer of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan; Eric Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation of New York; and Toby Usnik of Christie's who auctioned JASA services for seniors to generous bidders attending the program.

Mr. Keany, the event honoree, is a pioneering advocate for aging-friendly communities who has contributed tremendously to the development of programs that enable older adults to live and thrive in New York. In more than 30 years of service, he has managed properties that now provide housing for multigenerational communities in the 2,820 apartments and ten high-rise buildings of Penn South in Manhattan.

The event raised awareness for the need to support and advocate for the continuation of programs such as:

Aging-in-Place Services at Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)

JASA and its partners offer a number of quality-of-life programs to seniors living within NORCS to support their ability to live independently, including education and recreational activities, supportive counseling, transportation, health-related services, and much more.

Meal Delivery

JASA delivers 1.2 million Kosher and non-Kosher meals to homebound individuals and to groups at 24 senior centers located throughout the city. These meals and the staff who deliver them provide much more than nourishment; they provided a social connection and safety net these individuals would not otherwise have.

Chronic Disease Prevention and Self-Management Program

Seniors with chronic diseases can participate in peer supportive self-management workshops to encourage healthy behaviors, prevent avoidable hospitalizations, and help others to do the same.

Social Adult Daycare

JASA provides socialization and recreation for seniors with dementia and Alzheimer's at Social Adult Day Programs, which allows caregivers to benefit from much-needed respite time, and helps individuals stave off entering a long term care facility.

Senior Center Celebrations & Volunteer Programs

JASA's 24 senior centers serve as "home away from home" for older adults seeking group activities, celebrations, trips, and nutritious meals. Senior center volunteers participate in give back to the community projects, helping children, homeless, veterans, and those who are sick, in their local communities.

There is still time to donate to JASA at www.jasa.org/donate. All online donors between May 12 and May 27 will be entered into a drawing to win Mets tickets. For more information visit www.jasa.org or follow JASA on facebook and twitter @JASAseniors.

About JASA

Founded in 1968, JASA is one of New York's largest and most trusted agencies serving older adults in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. JASA's mission is to sustain and enrich the lives of the aging in the New York metropolitan area so that they can remain in the community with dignity and autonomy. JASA enables seniors of ALL races, religions, and economic backgrounds to age-in-place with grace, dignity, and joy.