upcoming

Annual Celebration of Seniors Luncheon

What:

The 2010 Area 1 Agency on Aging’s (A1AA) Celebration of Seniors:  Healthy Aging in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties Luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 27 at Avalon Restaurant. The meeting, held each year for 30 years, celebrates and thanks people who make real differences in the lives of seniors, said A1AA Executive Director Cindy Denbo.  “There are so many people who give freely of their time and energy and expertise to support the growing senior populations in Humboldt and Del Norte—our Senior Friends are bright lights in our communities.”

Dr. Fernando Torres-Gil will deliver the keynote presentation.  On April 29, Dr. Torres-Gil was named by President Barack Obama to a federal administration post as a member and vice chair of the National Council on Disability.  This is the third term of national service in a presidential administration for Professor Torres-Gil, who previously served under President Bill Clinton as the first assistant secretary for aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as the staff director of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Committee on Aging.  He also served in the administration of President Jimmy Carter. 

Dr. Torres-Gil holds appointments as professor of social welfare and public policy in the UCLA School of Public Affairs and is the director of the Center for Policy Research on Aging.  He is an expert in the fields of health and long-term care, the politics of aging, social policy, ethnicity and disability and the author of six books and more than 80 articles and book chapters on these subjects.

In addition to the address provided by Dr. Torres-Gil, the luncheon meeting will feature the presentation of the Agency’s 2010 Senior Friend Awards and the President’s Award.  These recognition awards honor those who have addressed needs experienced by seniors in their communities and who have made significant contributions to meeting those needs.  “Nominations are received from people who have first-hand knowledge of their activities,” said Denbo.  Past recipients have included:  Mary Beth Wolford; Congressman Mike Thompson; Food for People; Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department SWAP program; the Tribal Council of Bear River; Bed, Bath & Beyond; Skip Elam; Petco; Nancy Gregory; Fortuna Senior Services; and Ruth McCardie.

The 2010 President’s Award will be presented to Tom Rowe, Vice-President of the California Foundation on Aging, Vice- Chair of the Advocacy and Policy Committee of the California Commission on Aging and former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Area 1 Agency on Aging.  “Humboldt County seniors have benefited greatly from the expertise, dedication and generosity of Tom Rowe,” said A1AA Chair of the Board of Directors Joan Rainwater-Gish.  “Through his past work with the Agency and now his work with the Commission on Aging and the California Foundation, his vision, his commitment and his knowledge of what needs to be done and how to make things happen enrich and improve the lives of us all.”

The 2010 Senior Friends Awards will be presented to:  Darsty and John McAlinn, Chuck Acridge, Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, Evvy Colivas, Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka and KIEM News Channel 3.

For many years, Darsty and John McAlinn have led twice weekly Senior Aqua Aerobics classes at the Senior Center in Arcata, working with 30-40 seniors in each session.  They obtain tickets for events, provide transportation for seniors who can no longer drive to functions and, on special occasions, they have opened their home to senior class members and friends for celebrations.   “They have,” writes Thea Gast, who nominated the McAlinns for recognition, “brought much happiness and better health” to older adults.

Chuck Acridge, past-president and charter member of Fortuna Senior Services, continues to be a creative and dedicated friend to seniors in the Eel River Valley.  He has revised the by-laws for Fortuna Senior Services, maintains its website and writes for its newsletter, and was instrumental in the development of the Advisory Council for that organization. His work resulted in collaboration with Fortuna High School to provide senior computer and woodworking classes.  His recent focus has been on helping to develop a medical transportation plan for Eel River Valley seniors.  Chuck was nominated by Carol Kinser, who calls him “a lifesaver.”

Mary Beth Fitzpatrick, a dedicated volunteer for the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, has been a longtime advocate for frail seniors in long-term care facilities through the Center’s Ombudsman Program.  She investigates and resolves complaints and elder abuse issues and assists with placement of seniors in facilities.  Nominated by staff of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, Mary Beth “is known for her compassionate listening…and her dogged follow-up of complaints.  She is committed to treating the elderly and disabled with respect and compassion.”  Mary Beth also volunteers for Hospice as a patient care volunteer, leads bereavement groups and is part of a team that teaches meditation classes at the Humboldt County Jail.

Evvy Colivas has been delivering meals to fragile Fortuna seniors for close to twenty years.  At eighty years of age, Evvy is committed to completing twenty years of service before she retires. When she began to deliver meals to the homes of seniors it was a solo effort but, for the past few years, her husband Jerry has been covering her route with her, helping her with heavy loads.  She was nominated by the staff of Humboldt Senior Resource Center who wrote “Evvy has distinguished herself by her caring and connection to meal recipients, many of whom have no other social contacts in their day.  We nominate Evy Colivas for her decades of caring, friendship and hard work on behalf of Fortuna’s frail elderly.”

The Rotary Club of Southwest Eureka was nominated for recognition by Don Bachman and W. John Moore for its long tradition of supporting seniors, projects and organizations that serve seniors in our community.  The club spearheaded the Evergreen Lodge Project and the Lodge expansion project at St. Joseph Hospital which provides lodging for patients receiving lengthy medical treatments.  The club organized two fundraisers for the Alzheimer’s Day Care and Resource Center, contributing close to $40,000 to the project.  Southwest Eureka Rotary has provided funding for the Senior Information and Assistance Program of the Area 1 Agency on Aging and funding for the Large Type book collection of the Humboldt County Library—both of tremendous benefit to Humboldt County seniors.  Club members contributed hundreds of hours of maintenance for the Northern California Easter Seals warm water pool used by many local seniors and people with disabilities. They organize and host the annual Veterans Day program each November to honor those who have served in the military; most of these veterans are seniors. The health, comfort and well-being of many, many seniors and their families have been improved by the commitment and hard work of the Rotarians of Southwest Eureka.

KIEM News Channel 3 has been selected as the third recipient of the Business Friend to Seniors Award for its “outstanding role in disseminating critical information to North Coast senior citizens” writes Dr. Scott Sattler, who nominated KIEM for recognition. Every Monday, KIEM provides a televised opportunity to inform, educate, explain and discuss subjects of interest to today’s growing population of seniors and Boomers. Information about caregiving, volunteering, recreational and educational programs, Medicare, prescription drug plans, public hearings, how to make homes safer, how to manage medications—all this and more help seniors become aware of useful information and where and how to find more information and assistance.  Writes Dr. Sattler, “KIEM is to be congratulated and thanked for offering information that improves and enhances the quality of life in our communities.”

“These are remarkable individuals and organizations.  They have recognized the needs of seniors in our communities and have stepped up to answer those needs,” said Denbo.  “They participate and volunteer and provide and give—without expectation of reward or personal gain.  We are honored to celebrate their achievements and their generosity.”

The public is invited to attend this recognition luncheon.  Lunch tickets are $30 each and may be purchased by calling the Area 1 Agency on Aging at 442-3763.

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