Thanks given, awards presented at AAA7 Appreciation Brunch
By Jenni Dovyak-Lewis
Communications Manager
Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
Giving thanks. That was common place at this year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7’s (AAA7) Annual Appreciation Brunch, which was recently held at the Southern Ohio Medical Center Friends Center in Portsmouth. This year, the Agency hosted a special “birthday party” for attendees in celebration of
the AAA7’s 40 years of service that is marked in 2012.
During the special event, several individuals and groups throughout the Agency’s 10-county district were recognized for their service and dedication to not only the Agency as a whole, but more importantly, the communities and seniors served by the Agency.
The Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. serves the following counties: Adams, Brown, Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Lawrence, Pike, Ross, Scioto and Vinton.
Special awards that were presented at the event to individuals or groups included:
William A. Jenkins Award (Outstanding Contributor to Our Southern Ohio Aging Network)
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. “William A. Jenkins Award” was presented to Ray Roberts, former Executive Director of the Community Action Committee (CAC) of Pike County. The AAA7 presents the award annually to an outstanding contributor to the southern Ohio aging network.
A native of Southern Ohio, Roberts graduated from Glenwood High School in New Boston, and attended both the Chillicothe and Athens campuses of Ohio University where he obtained an Associate of Arts degree in Mental Health Technology and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.
Roberts began his career as the Children’s Program Planner for the Paint Valley Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board in Chillicothe, and in 1978, left that position to begin his long and remarkable tenure with the CAC of Pike County, starting out as the Administrator for the then single facility Family Health Center. In 1983, he became Deputy Director of the CAC and retained oversight of the Family Health Center, as well as Head Start, daycare, employment and training, social services, public transportation, senior nutrition, and maintenance. In 1988, he became the Executive Director, a position from which he retired earlier this year.
Under his guidance over the years with the CAC of Pike County, the Family Health Center experienced huge growth, leading the way in bringing high quality health care services to some of Ohio’s most vulnerable citizens; Rural Public Transit grew from two, 15-passenger vans in Pike County, to a fleet of 11 vehicles; and a new state-of-the art Senior Center with a fully operational commercial kitchen was constructed.
“The Area Agency on Aging District 7 has, with great pleasure, watched the growth of the Community Action Agency of Pike County under the leadership of Ray Roberts,” commented Pamela K. Matura, Executive Director of the Area Agency on Aging District 7. “It is apparent that the organization and its’
leader recognized the value of our older adults and their need for assistance in later years.
"From the long-standing nutrition program serving both congregate and home-delivered meals, to the transportation services and newly established and very busy senior citizens center, this organization has impacted the lives of many people by providing food, transportation and the “place to come and be together” - all under his leadership and guidance. Ray is truly a visionary whose commitment to his community and its’ people will be felt for many years to come.”
The award is named in memory of William A. Jenkins, a native of Gallia County, who helped build the aging network in southern Ohio through the Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc.
Advocacy Award
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. “Advocacy Award” was presented to the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a) Negotiating Team. Accepting the award on behalf of the o4a was Larke Recchie, Executive Director, and former Ohio Department of Aging Director Barbara Riley, who now serves as a consultant for the o4a.
The o4a was recognized for its stellar advocacy work this year surrounding proposals from the state regarding changes to Medicaid, Medicare and waiver programs for home and community-based consumers. The AAA7, along with other partners throughout the aging network in Ohio, has been busy engaging in advocacy efforts for seniors and those with disabilities on a local, state and national level to sustain an aging and long-term care system that is supportive of choices and options for consumers so that they can continue to remain safe and independent at home, if that is what they choose and desire.
Through advocacy efforts organized by the o4a, Ohio’s aging network has made progress along the way and engaged in meetings with state officials to discuss the importance of maintaining choices and options for seniors and those with disabilities.
Community Service Award
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. “Community Service Award” was presented to The Ohio State University South Centers for its work with the Senior Farmer’s Market Program. Accepting the award on behalf of OSU South Centers was Christi Welch, Business Development Specialist.
Nationwide, a growing interest has emerged with the consumption of local produce and support of local farmers. Due to this trend, the US Department of Agriculture began the Senior Farmer’s Market Program, whereby older adults can receive vouchers to purchase fresh and locally grown produce at their local farmer’s market.
Over the past three years, the AAA7 has had the good fortune to partner with The Ohio State University Extension South Centers in Piketon in offering the Senior Farmer’s Market Program in Ross County. Welch, a local grower herself, worked closely with the AAA7 to successfully implement the program. The success of the program is reflected in the support and cooperation of
the farmer market manager and participating growers.
Also recognized was Jodi Riley, Executive Director of the Ross County Committee for the Elderly. The Senior Center in Chillicothe serves as the local sign-up location for seniors who are eligible to receive vouchers for the Senior Farmer’s Market Program.
Intergenerational Award
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7 “Intergenerational Award” was presented to Jackson Middle School.
Before Christmas 2011, Gina Lawson, a Language/Arts teacher at Jackson Middle School, brought forth to the AAA7 a project that her students created to bring cheer for seniors enrolled in AAA7 programs during the Holidays. Her class designed and created fifty goodie boxes that were full of treats that AAA7 staff delivered to a number of Jackson County consumers before the Holidays. Upon delivery of the special items, consumers were very touched by the generosity and care the students shared during the Holidays.
The AAA7 created the Intergenerational Award to recognize these types of opportunities that bring younger and older generations together.
Law Enforcement Award
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7’s “Law Enforcement Award” was presented to Scott Borden, Chief with the University of Rio Grande Campus Police.
AAA7 Administrative Offices are located on the campus of the University of Rio Grande in Rio Grande, Ohio, whereas the Agency has the opportunity to work with a number of university departments who assist with some of the daily functions of the Agency, such as campus police.
Chief Scott Borden, a former trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, was hired by the University in 2011, and since that time, has provided great support to the AAA7 through his role on campus. Chief Borden has offered help and assistance and presented to office staff about workplace safety, particularly with ways to guard against workplace shootings and other
violence. He has presented to the AAA7’s three other office sites in Portsmouth, Waverly and West Union, either in person or through video-conferencing, and has offered the help of himself and his staff to the Agency when needed.
The AAA7 is appreciative of Chief Borden’s support of the Agency through his true professionalism and dedication to his job.
Partnership Award
This year’s Area Agency on Aging District 7’s “Partnership Award” was presented to the AAA7’s Healthy Lifestyle Community Coaches.
Through this year’s Partnership Award, several community organizations and community members were recognized for their commitment to partnering with the Area Agency on Aging District 7 to bring healthy lifestyle programs into our communities. These programs assist individuals to take control of their lives and manage their health conditions. The programs are “evidenced based,” or scientifically proven, community initiatives that provide health benefits and promote disease prevention.
The individuals were recognized for their support and time spent for training to offer specific healthy lifestyle classes in the community. Collectively, they have assisted the Area Agency on Aging District 7 to bring ten classes (approximately 100 individuals attending) to communities
in Gallia, Highland, Jackson, Pike, Ross and Scioto Counties in 2012.
Community Coaches recognized included:
Victoria Barkin – Heartland of Chillicothe
Martha Bell – Community Member
Melinda Blaney – Hopeton Terrace NCR
Lynn Bunstine – YMCA of Ross County
Catherine Coburn – Heartland of Riverview
Shandi Davis – Bristol Village
Kathleen Finnegan – Community Member
Cindy Goodman – Hopeton Village NCR
Nancy Gulley – Bristol Court/Bristol Village
Diane Hewitt – Hopeton Terrace Apartments
Calea King – Holzer Medical Center
Debbie Lackey – Heartland of Jackson
Charity McDermott – Holzer Medical Center –Jackson
William Pfeifer – Holzer Medical Center-Jackson
Kelly Ramey – Community Member
Debbie Rhude – Heartland of Hillsboro
JD Stevens – Heartland of Hillsboro
Whit Streicher – YMCA of Ross County
Lisa Tackett – Bristol Court/Bristol Village
Mary Taylor – Community Member
Laura Tennant – Cambridge Home Health Care
Bud Treadway – Community Member
Kim White – Community Member
Mary Ann Wilburn – Heartland of Chillicothe
Special recognition was also given at the event to the following groups and individuals:
Regional Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteers
Rhonda Bivens, Mary Book, John Brewer, Deborah Dailey, Sara Jones, Douglas McCoard, Connie Metzler, Lori Michael, Teresa O’Brien, Kevin Sheets, Jerilyn Sheets, Lavon Shields, Carolyn Spurgeon, Jerry Towler and Connie Watkins.
Art Show and Essay/Poetry Contest Volunteers
Helen Arnott, Joan Arrowood, Shelia Arrowood, Rita Baker, Cathy Boyd, Jane Bragg, Phyllis Copley, Martha Deck, Martha Detty-Foster, Diana Evans, Doris Evans, Jeanne Fisher, Jean Gray, Joyce Haag, Jean Isreal, Martha Leach, Carolee Lewis, Rosemary Matthews, Mary Maxson, Rushie McAllister, Annabelle Miller, Pat Parsons, Bob Powell, Vickie Powell, Pam Reilly, Nancy Shaw,
Lavon Shields, Irena Skaggs, Anna Summers, David Summers, Phyllis Taylor, Dawn Walker and Catherine Woodrum.
Also recognized were winners at this year’s Contest including Lynda Dunlap of Gallia County (Oak Hill Senior Center) – “Victor Potts Best of Show Award;” Pat Thompson of Adams County – “Mary Peck Friend of Animals Award;” and Brenda Kay Miller of Jackson County – “People’s Choice Award.”
Outstanding Seniors (As Selected by Each County Senior Center)
Adams County – Harlan Plummer; Gallia County – Bob Roach and Ina Belle Sibley; Highland County – Eloise Garrison; Jackson County – Marlene Sexton; Lawrence County – Judy Mills (Ironton Site) and Edna Moore (Sybene Site); Pike County – Wanda Lawson; and Ross County – JR Houghland.
State Awardees (District Honorees from the Ohio Department of Aging)
Joined Hearts in Giving – William and Barbara Burke (Scioto County)
Joined Hearts in Giving – Pete and Pauline Coburn (Scioto County)
The Area Agency on Aging District 7 was pleased to host another successful Appreciation Brunch to extend its thankfulness and appreciation to all the individuals and groups who make the district so special.
Your local Area Agency on Aging District 7, Inc. provides services on a non-discriminatory basis. These services are available to help older adults and those with disabilities live safely and independently in their own homes through services paid for by Medicare, Medicaid, other federal and state resources, as well as private pay. The AAA7’s Resource Center is also available to anyone in the community looking for information or assistance with long-term care options. Available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 4:30 pm, the Resource Center is a valuable contact for learning more about options and what programs and services are available for assistance.
Those interested in learning more can call toll-free at 1-800-582-7277 (TTY: 711). Here, individuals can speak directly with a nurse or social worker who will assist them with information surrounding the programs and services that are available to best serve their needs. The Agency also offers an in-home assessment at no cost for those who are interested in learning more.
Information is also available on www.aaa7.org.