The Diocese of Lafayette sponsored a health and educational fair Tuesday at the Cyr-Gates Community Center where more than 40 vendors arrived to share information with the Teche Area's senior citizens.

JoAnne LeJune, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) supervisor, said the group worked hand in hand with the diocese to make the event happen.

"We felt that we needed to reach out to the elderly in a way that was exciting and fun," said LeJune. "It's important that we make them aware of certain health needs that they need to take care of."

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Elizabeth Credeur, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette senior and Alzheimer Association intern, shared information on the disease with visitors at the Alzheimer's Association booth.

"It's an important issue that the elderly face, and I'm learning a lot by being here," said Credeur.

Fair browser Loretta Landry said that she works with senior citizens at the Council on Aging, which is why she decided to come in and gather information about the help that is available to them.

"I found out about the fair through the newspaper, and I do so many things with the elderly that it only made sense for me to come by and take a look," she said.

Aside from door prizes and the mountain of brochures and refrigerator magnets available to visitors courtesy of each organization, the diocese also provided breakfast and lunch to the guests. Louisiana Technical College student nurses also were on hand for blood pressure screening.

Visitors were entertained by the Cajun High Steppers, a senior citizen dance group with members form Abbeville and Erath.

Lola Lang of Abbeville said she has been a member of the Cajun High Steppers for about 13 years.

"It's a good way to stay active because it really gets our hearts pumping," said Lang.

Member Sandra Fruge said the group meets once per week for practice and is under the direction of Vergie Delahoussaye.

Husband and wife Geri Stockstill and Richard Gale of New Iberia left the fair thinking that they had learned far more than they expected.

"My late wife had Alzheimers before she passed away and at that time there was almost no information that I could find on care options," said Gale.

Stockstill said that she was most impressed with the available hospice services and home health care that can be arranged for the elderly.