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(EDGE) On November 8, in more than 150 locations across the U.S. and the globe, thousands of LGBT people and allies gathered as part of the intergenerational LGBT initiative, SAGE Table.

The event — which had a successful debut last year with the help of many high-profile stars including Whoopi Goldberg, Zach Quinto and Sarah Paulson — was created to address the prevailing challenge of loneliness for older LGBT people as they age. SAGE Table encourages younger and older LGBT people and allies to come together on the same day, share a meal, and build lasting connections to help LGBT elders thrive.

“We’re so proud to celebrate another successful SAGE Table event, and to see such an incredible amount of enthusiasm from people across the country and beyond, to build and strengthen relationships between younger and older LGBT generations,” said SAGE CEO Michael Adams.

“Loneliness and social isolation threaten everyone as we age — but they’re more likely to be problems for LGBT older people, who are twice as likely to grow old single and living alone and four times less likely to have children to support them,” Adams continued. “We have the power to change the impact of these statistics through the power of connection, which can begin at SAGE Table.”

SAGE Table was championed in Chicago, D.C., Los Angeles, Miami, and New York City this year by SAGE Table’s 2018 National Host Committee, which was co-chaired by Harvey Abrams and Anthony Sis.

“As a senior myself, I am drawn to SAGE’s mission of improving the lives of LGBT elders,” said co-chair Harvey Abrams. “It was a gratifying experience to witness people of all ages working together for a common cause, from people in their twenties to people close to 80. While the immediate success of SAGE Table can be counted by the number of participants and the excitement generated at each of these events, its ultimate success will depend on its growth from a small grassroots moment to a dynamic, national movement where people are working toward solving the issues facing LGBT elders.”

This year’s event stretched beyond the U.S., with SAGE Table events happening across the globe in Canada, France, the U.K., Peru, and Burundi.

“It made me so happy and proud to see this diverse LGBT group communicate excitedly over dinner and drink, exchange experiences and eventually Instagram accounts and phone numbers,” said Tarrah von Lintel, an LA-based member of the National Host Committee. “I saw some of the older participants provide answers, contacts and solutions to problems faced by the younger crowd. The younger generations brought vigor, hope, and enthusiasm. These gatherings are vital to facilitate friendships and mentorships.”

After this year’s success, SAGE will be launching a yearlong series of actions to transform SAGE Table from a one-day event into an ongoing series of activities, as well as volunteer opportunities.

Family of man killed walking child to school bus suing employer of driver who hit him

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| Crime

The family of a man killed while walking his daughter to a school bus stop is suing the employer of the driver of a van who hit him.

Jeffrey “Todd” Kimberlin, 38, of Fruitland Park, on the morning of Sept. 21 had been walking with his daughter to the bus stop when he was struck by a 2001 Ford van driven by 27-year-old Dylan Roberts of Ocklawaha. The van was owned by Russell’s Aluminum Inc.

Kimberlin, a beloved local tattoo artist, was transported to Ocala Regional Medical Center, where he later died of injuries suffered when he was struck by the van.

Roberts is facing a charge of driving without a valid license causing death. He had three previous convictions for driving while license suspended. He remains free on bond.

In addition, the two mothers of Kimberlin’s three children have joined forces in a lawsuit against Roberts and his employer. Kimberlin left behind a three-year-old son he had with Carrie Monique Snell, as well as a 9-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son he had with Ronni Leigh Kimberlin.

The women have accused Russell’s Aluminum of being “vicariously negligent” and claim the children have lost “parental companionship and protection.” They also contend that Kimberlin’s estate has “incurred medical expenses, funeral expenses, loss of net accumulations and loss of earnings.”

Russell’s Aluminum is owned by Joseph Russell and located at 16201 SE 58th Avenue in Summerfield.

The women are represented by the law firm of Oldham & Smith in Tavares.

Screaming man on high school baseball field forces players to take cover at Lake Weir High School

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Marion County sheriff’s deputies hurried to Lake Weir High School last week after receiving a call for help from coaches at the facility.

When deputies arrived at the school, located at 10351 SE Maricamp Rd., early last Thursday night, they found 46-year-old Taj A. Jones on the ground at the second base area of the facility’s baseball field. Jones, of Bothell, Wash., was “screaming and causing a disturbance,” a sheriff’s office report states.

Deputies detained Jones and put him in handcuffs, then spoke with three of the school’s coaches who told them that Jones jumped a chain-link fence by the facility’s agriculture farm while they were conducted a baseball practice. They said Jones then took off his shirt and shoes and “began running around the baseball and soccer field,” the report says.

Due to the nature of Jones “peculiar” behavior, the coaches believed their students weren’t safe, so they pulled them into the dugout. The coaches also asked Jones to leave but he refused to do so, the report says.

Jones was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with charged with trespassing on school grounds and disturbing the peace/interfering with school administration functions. He is being held on no bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 28 to answer to the charges.