I can always find a good reason to head to the Bangor Mall. But all sales aside, the best reason to venture to the shopping center is the Public Safety Senior Appreciation Day celebration. It’s all about seniors from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 20.

The event is sponsored by the Penobscot County Triad Coalition, an organization of senior citizens, law enforcement and social service agencies, all with the mission of fighting crime, abuse and fraud perpetrated against the elderly.

Inside at the J.C. Penney court will be tables staffed by senior-focused programs. Of course, Eastern Agency on Aging and the DASH Network will be there handing out relevant information to seniors and those with disabilities.

Caring Connections for women’s health; the Warren Center for hearing and communications; RSVP and the University of Maine Center on Aging for senior topics and volunteerism; the Senior Companion Program, which provides seniors with some help; Bangor Hydro, which generously donated funds to the Triad project; and the File of Life, reprinted, also will be on hand, among others.

And speaking of the File of Life, the new shipment recently came in. For those of you who don’t know about the file, it is a 4-inch by 3-inch red, plastic pocket that attaches to the refrigerator with a magnetic strip and contains a person’s pertinent medical information, such as medications and dosages, doctors’ names, emergency contacts and medical conditions. A red sticker for the front door signals EMTs to look for the file on the fridge.

There is a wallet-size file included as well. It should be kept with you at all times in case of an emergency outside your home. As always, these files are free to the public. Just call Eastern Agency on Aging to request one and it will be mailed to you.

Now, this is not your typical education fair. Along with the aforementioned vendors, public safety officials will gather in the parking lot outside Macy’s with emergency equipment that you can explore. Get up close and personal with the sheriff’s mobile crime lab, the state police command vehicle and the child identification iris scan, which also is used for seniors who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, and are at risk for wandering.

Capital Ambulance, the police K-9 unit, a fire safety display and fire apparatus and cruisers also will be on display.

And before you come to the fair, go through all your medications. Bag up any that have expired or that you no longer use and bring them with you. Triad is holding a drop-off station so all old medications can be collected and disposed of properly.

This event is designed to provide seniors and others with the necessary information to help them stay safe. It is fun, free and not to be missed.

Mark your calendars for the Animal Orphanage yard sale, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Old Town City Garage. Bobbie Fowler, one of my favorite seniors, promises there will be something for everyone. And best of all, the proceeds from the sale go the care and feeding of the animals at the Animal Orphanage.

If you are spring cleaning and have anything you no longer want or need, call the orphanage at 827-8777. They will gladly take these items. However, please note that no clothes, appliances or electronics will be accepted. If the item does not sell, the orphanage must pay to dispose of it, which defeats the purpose of a fundraiser.

I will be there all day. Stop by and say hello.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. For more information on EAA, call 942-2865, toll-free (800) 432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or visit www.eaaa.org. TTY 992-0150.