CRANBERRY TWP — Butler County senior citizens swarmed around the township municipal building Friday to learn about a wealth of resources and services available to them.

The 2008 Senior Expo, hosted by state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, brought out hundreds of citizens who came to learn about issues ranging from health insurance and prescription drug assistance to retirement facilities and fraud protection.

More than 50 vendors offered pamphlets, videos and small gifts to any senior interested in their program. Organizations like UPMC Passavant, the YMCA and the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau participated in the event.

Patrick McCarthy, director of the Healthy Lifestyle Center at UPMC Passavant, administered free blood tests to screen for diabetes.

"There are so many free resources here," McCarthy said of the expo. "And they're resources that seniors might not understand or have regular access to. It's a nice forum and a casual day to talk to health professionals for free."

While some seniors took advantage of the diabetes screenings, others perused the tables and socialized. Some sat for free hearing and vision tests, while others filled out paperwork and listened to speeches.

"This thing is really a one-stop source of information for all seniors," said Edward Lipps, a Butler resident who attended the expo for the third year in a row.

"It's great when state representatives are in touch with their constituents and not staying away in Harrisburg. I'll keep coming every year as long as they have it."

Metcalfe said he was pleased at the high turnout of seniors who attended the event, which he's been hosting for 10 years.

"It's been a big hit with our senior citizen community," he said, noting annual attendance has steadily increased.

Metcalfe said he received more than 100 donations from businesses, with restaurants donating items like gift cards and fruit baskets that were raffled off to seniors.