UA News

Family Studies and Human Development Ambassadors will host a Las Vegas-style casino night at a campus-area residential home.

A group of local seniors will be feted with a Las Vegas-style event, courtesy of a philanthropic student organization at The University of Arizona

"Vegas, Baby, Vegas! Casino Night" will benefit residents of the Park Avenue Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. The event is Saturday, March 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the center, located on Park Avenue and Waverly Street north of the UA campus.

Students from Family Studies and Human Development Ambassadors will bring games, prizes and some much needed companionship to center residents.

The residents range in cognitive and physical capabilities and rarely have visitors, according to the center's activity director, Carol Adrian.  

"We are looking forward to the Casino Night, put on by the Ambassadors for our center," said Adrian. "Our seniors love to have visitors, but an entire event for us is very exciting. I wish more people would take an interest in our elderly community. The opportunity for intergenerational interactions and activities builds community and fosters understanding while offering the treasure of shared memories and histories," she said.

FSHD Ambassadors is a philanthropic student organization in the UA's Norton School of Family and Consumer Science. The students have been involved in several community activities including Girl Scouts, Adopt-a-Family, the Targeting Early Readers project and many more.  

"Our Ambassador group continues to grow and we are attempting to focus on more diverse demographics," said Amy Chandler, the assistant director of the Norton School and the faculty adviser to the Ambassadors. "I know that Casino Night will be a wonderful experience for both the Ambassadors and the seniors at Park Avenue Healthcare and Rehabilitation. This is just one of the many great community outreach activities to come out of this talented group and there will be many more to come."