In an effort to give back to those who have helped make the Pelham Senior Center what it is today, more than 100 seniors gathered at the center Thursday to host a Mayor and Council Appreciation Day.

The open house event included a tour of the facility, displays of artwork made by the seniors, a dance performance by the line-dancing group, a performance by the seniors’ Golden Voices singing group and a luncheon.

Roy Jowers, organizer of the event, said he was so thankful for all the city’s dedication and support for the center throughout the years.

“We hope that it is going to be a long, long friendship that will last into the future,” Jowers said.

Jowers said the senior center means so much to so many people, and it is important that people realize there is a place for seniors in Pelham.

“For some of us that come to the senior center, this is beginning to be our second home,” Jowers said. “We think it’s a wonderful, wonderful place.”

Barbara Roberts, senior center director, said it was important to the seniors to have the mayor and council there because they wanted to make sure the city knows how much they appreciate the facility and all that is put into running the center.

“We want to show them how the money allocated to us is spent and a picture’s worth 1,000 words,” Roberts said. “This is like Christmas morning for the seniors.”

Nino’s Italian Restaurant also made it seem like Christmas morning, as representatives Walter and Chris Caron stopped by to present a check for $800.

Nino’s, located on U.S. 31 in Pelham, opened last month and the restaurant raised money for the center during the grand opening.

Murphy said Walter and owner Eli Gold approached him before they opened Nino’s, asking what charity he would like for them to help out.

So, on opening night, Nino’s gave food away for free, while asking for a donation to the senior center in return.

“When Eli decided to open his restaurant, he wanted to get involved in the community, and he wanted to get involved as quickly as possible,” Caron said. “And we’re going to continue to do that as long as we’re here.”