2/10/14: Senior Services Accepting Nominations for 2014 Senior of the Year

Modified: January 23, 2015 3:58pm

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Date: 
2/10/14

Seeking Individuals who Volunteer, Serve Community, Exemplify “Positive Aging” after 60

ERIE COUNTY, NY— The Erie County Department of Senior Services has announced that it is seeking nominations for Erie County’s 2014 “Senior of the Year”, an individual that has made noteworthy contributions to the community and who exemplifies the characteristics of “positive aging”, including energy, vitality, creativity, and compassion.

“The Senior of the Year is a special individual who continues to give back to his or her community from their life experience as well as from their heart,” said Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz. “In Erie County we are blessed with many such seniors who have led full, active lives and continue to serve their communities during their retirement. In big and small ways, their volunteerism strengthens our communities and they deserve recognition for all that they do.”

Erie County Senior Services Commissioner Randy Hoak added, “The Senior Services Department works with active, involved seniors all across Erie County, and we’ve seen the effects they have on their communities. The nomination process provides an opportunity to thank a truly outstanding individual who exemplifies what the ‘Senior of the Year’ is all about.”

Nominations should include a brief description of the older adult’s contributions to their community. Contributions may be current and ongoing volunteer activity, as well as personal experiences, especially as they relate to care giving, professional accomplishment, and community recognition.

While an individual’s lifetime achievement and professional recognition (prior to sixtieth birthday) will be a factor in selecting the Senior of the Year, these achievements and accomplishments must be complemented by volunteer service and accomplishments that occurred after the individual’s sixtieth birthday.

Nominations are welcomed in the form of a 300 word essay outlining why the individual should be considered for Senior of the Year. Nominations must be submitted no later than March 7, 2014.

Visit the Erie County Senior Services’ Department website for more information and to fill out a nomination form, or call Jennifer Wood in Erie County Senior Services at (716) 858-7532.