NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2026
• Programs of Excellence Name: Intergenerational July 4 BBQ
• Hosting Organization: Edna Burton Senior Center, Burtonville, Michigan

About Intergenerational July 4 BBQ: 

When the small town of Burtonville, MIchigan, couldn't hold its annual July 4 fireworks display, the local senior center stepped in.

"I wanted the senior center to do something that would bring the community together—not just senior citizens but youth and adults also," said Edna Burton Senior Center's Faye Bindig. That's how the Interngenterational July 4 BBQ came to be.

"We hired a band to play music, had carnival games with small prizes, a dunk tank with volunteers to be in the dunk tank," Bindig said. "We also had contests, raffle prizes, and lots of food. Our contests were split into ones for adults and one for kids—both of which the winners received ribbons and prizes. There were lots of grandparents bringing their grandchildren, and since there wasn't a specific charge (it was by donation only) we ended up having 250 attendees."

The event was posible because of support from many local nonprofits. "The local Lions Club did all the grilling of the hot dogs and hamburgers for us," Bindig said. "Volunteers and staff manned the snow cone, popcorn, ice cream, and cotton candy stations. The local VFW and a local realtor sponsored the band by donating funds towards the cost of the band."

Thanks to fundraising throughout the year (craft sales, dinners, etc.), the senior center was able to buy the machines that make snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy.

"Now that we have all the machines, we will be ready for the Intergenerational BBQ in 2026," Bindig said. "We also had volunteers from the Brandon Township Library, Township elected officials, and The Oakland County Children's Village (Juvenile Justice Day Program) and 2 of their staff members.

Bindig said the event was a great way to expand the senior center's reach.

"There were some people that didn't even know that the senior center existed," she said. "Everyone had a fantastic time and said they couldn't wait for next year's Intergenerational BBQ."

Key takeaways from Intergenerational July 4 BBQ:

• The response from the public was so enthusiastic that it will now become a yearly event.
• Willingness of local businesses to donate money or raffle prizes reminded senior center staff that sometimes "all you have to do is ask."  
• Volunteers and staff were key to the event's success. They were all definitely "Heroes for the Day."

About Edna Burton Senior Center

Edna Burton Senior Center serves a rural community in Michigan in the Brandon Township area. The center hosts area agency on aging programs such as Eat Smart, Move More, Weigh Less and caregiver support. Other offerings include exercise classes, clubs and activities, and such intergenerational outreach as spring yard cleanup by teen volunteers.