Mayor Kasim Reed hosted his fourth annual Forever Young Ball on Nov. 2, where he honored more than 4,500 seniors at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta.
Mayor Reed saluted the seniors at the free celebration which included live entertainment, dancing and prize giveaways. Mayor Reed recognized the city’s elders for their commitment, service and leadership to the Atlanta community. The annual ball is designed to encourage seniors to stay active and healthy through community programs and outreach initiatives.
“The Forever Young Ball is a proud tradition that provides the City of Atlanta an opportunity to appreciate and recognize the commitment, achievements and contributions of our most valuable and cherished citizens,” said Mayor Reed. “Our seniors are a critical component of Atlanta’s rich and diverse heritage, and tonight was a fitting tribute to their lifelong contributions to this city.”
At this year’s gala, the seniors enjoyed food, music, prizes and plenty of dancing throughout the evening. Radio personalities Ryan Cameron, Ebony Steele, Art Terrell, KD Bowe and SiMan emceed the ball.
The 2013 Forever Young Ball was planned by the Mayor’s Office of Constituent Services, the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and the Mayor’s mother, Sylvia Reed. Concentra, a subsidiary of Humana Inc., AARP and Schneider Electric were this year’s presenting sponsors.
Other sponsors included Siebert, Branford & Shank, ING, Kaiser Permanente, SCANA Energy, Waste Management, Piedmont Wellstar Health Plans, AT&T, Blue Cross Blue Shield, United Healthcare, Columbia Residences, JenCare, Chick-fil-a, IF Securities, Standard Parking, Park Atlanta, CIGNA, C2HM Hill, Minnesota Life Insurance, Urban Environmental Solutions, Taliah Waajid Natural Hair Care, Aflac, Georgia Pacific, Integral Group, Hunton & Williams, Benchmark Management, and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.
Mayor Bill Campbell began the long-standing tradition of the Senior Citizens Ball and believed it was critical to recognize and honor the individuals who helped Atlanta become the global city it is today.
For many years following Campbell’s inaugural Senior Citizens Ball, the celebration, supported in various forms by succeeding mayors, was one of the city’s most anticipated social events. However, due to budget constraints, the City of Atlanta did not host the ball in 2008 and 2009.
Mayor Reed, in response to requests from dozens of seniors, promised to restore the ball shortly after his inauguration in January 2010 and followed through on that promise with the 2010 Senior Citizens Ball.
Last year’s ball held at the Marriott Marquis in downtown Atlanta was emceed by media personalities Chris Tucker, Fonzworth Bentley, Frank Ski and Ryan Cameron.
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