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Nine Local Seniors Receive Recognition During Older Americans Month
By
Stephen Baetge
Staff Writer
Under
the umbrella of national Older Americans Month, nine outstanding
local seniors were recognized by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors
last Tuesday in council chambers for their high level of contributions
to the community.
The dedicated volunteers were presented with a certificate and a hand-sewn quilt
by the county supervisor representing their district. The quilts were stitched
by The Pins & Needles Brigade and distributed under the auspice of Take a
Stand Against Elder Abuse.
“These nine seniors are amazing people who devote their time and energy
to our community,” said Geri Esposito, chair of the Adult and Aging Commission. “These
folks are representative of all the people out there that have been doing this
without recognition for so long. I think this event is so important because it
is critical that people have a consciousness of older volunteer workers in the
context of what they do for the community.”
Esposito explained that 19 percent of seniors in the Sacramento area volunteer
in their community and added that when asked to help out, most seniors will rarely
decline the invitation.
“We need to reach these seniors and get them active in our communities,” she
concluded. “These seniors are wonderful people, and we’re seeing
the last of the ‘Greatest Generation.’”
In tune with Tom Brokaw’s perception of the “Greatest Generation,” the
outstanding seniors stood tall and proud as they accepted their awards.
County Supervisor Susan Peters, representing District 3, presented the award
to the first recipient, Richard Dunn. A resident of Carmichael, Dunn has been
involved with the Hart Senior Center for over 10 years, serving in each branch
as needed. He has also been active in the community by participating in such
organizations as SeniorNet (computers), Kiwanis, Toastmasters and the Hart Advisory
Committee, serving as a vice president on the facilities committee.
Dunn also spent 12 years as a docent at Shriners’ Hospital for Children.
He has demonstrated perseverance and leadership qualities over the years.
County Supervisor Don Nottoli, representing District 5, recognized Robert Inman
for his dedicated work in the community. Inman was a long-time treasurer for
the Cordova Senior Activities Center, and he also serves on the advisory board.
“Inman enjoys working with the van rides program, and he’s always
willing to pick up driver slack,” said Nottoli. “He is always willing
to help in numerous ways, and he has a wonderful rapport with everyone. He is
down to earth, very helpful and a genuinely pleasant person,” Nottoli added.
Charles Beal is also from District 5, and Nottoli honored him by saying that
his list of volunteer services is long and varied. Beal has collected and redeemed
recyclable products to raise funds for several organizations. He has been a member
of the Food Redistribution Task Force of the Sacramento City/County Hunger Commission,
as well as serving on the advisory committee, The State of California Department
of Aging and the Brown Bag Network.
Beal additionally facilitated the Emergency Food Provider Round Table, which
became the Emergency Food Consortium. He is coordinator of the Dial-a-Ride program
for the Senior Center of Elk Grove (SCEG) and hosts a men’s program for
the SCEG called “Let’s Talk.”
Nottoli similarly honored Georgia Giguere from District 5. Giguere is an indispensable
volunteer for South County Services and the community of Galt. She volunteers
for both Brown Bag and Commodities programs, and she drives the van for medical
transportation. She is always part of the planning and implementation of the
Christmas Basket Giveaway, the Senior Luncheon and the Senior Gala Dinner.
“The volunteer services she provides are some of the most thoughtful actions
anyone could provide,” said Nottoli.
County Supervisor Roberta MacGlashan, representing District 4, presented Citrus
Heights community icon Mary Purvis with her award and quilt. Purvis is the “go
to” person of Citrus Heights, present since the drive for cityhood. She
assists with many city and community events including the Citrus Heights Beauty
Pageant, the Fill the Boot fundraiser and the Citrus Heights Relay For Life,
which assists terminally ill children with their final wish.
Beyond these public contributions, Purvis carries out many acts of kindness anonymously.
She has helped young parents with resources when they’ve lost a child to
terminal illness, and she has helped fathers find employment. Mary Purvis is
a warm-hearted and selfless volunteer, and many in her community are better off
today for knowing her.
“I don’t do anything alone,” said Purvis. “God is always
there to help me.”
MacGlashan also honored Al Diener from District 4. Diener is committed to helping
the people in his community through his genuine compassion for others. He is
a senior volunteer for the Folsom Parks and Recreation Senior and Arts Center,
which assists staff with special events, greeting the public and helping seniors
become familiar with programs at the center.
Al Diener spent three years assisting the Folsom Police Department personnel
with special projects, reporting, timekeeping, special events and parades. He
has been Santa Claus for the traditional Santa Sleigh Ride through the city of
Folsom neighborhoods. Diener volunteers for both Mercy and Kaiser Hospitals in
Folsom.
“Al Diener is an individual who will go above and beyond the call of duty
to make others more comfortable,” said MacGlashan.
Roger Dickinson, county supervisor for District 1, recognized Lonnie Ratzlaff
for her contributions to the community.
“Lonnie has been providing volunteer services to Stanford Settlement senior
programs for over five years,” said Dickinson. “She often spontaneously
takes up the transportation slack, using her own vehicle to provide rides for
seniors to and from the center as well as to and from medical appointments.”
Ratzlaff’s special project is maintaining the rose garden — keeping
it trimmed, weeded and clean at all times. When one of the members of Sunshine
Pals passes away, Lonnie plants a rosebush in the garden in honor of that member.
“The center is lucky to have her,” said Dickinson.
The last two recipients were from District 2, and County Supervisor
Jimmy Yee presented their awards.
Kaoru “Bernice” Ouye, age 90, continues her 22 years of service to
seniors at the Asian Community Center Nursing Home. She makes occasional trips
to the Bay Area to collect Japanese movies, many of which are very rare in Sacramento.
She shows the movies to seniors at the Friday Movie Experience in the day room.
Bernice also enjoys wheeling residents to and from their rooms, engaging them
in long conversations and spending long periods of time with them. As a breast
cancer survivor, she is healthy and active, extending a positive and hopeful
message to those who need it.
“So many have entrusted their hearts to her,” said Yee.
And Ophelia “Fifi” Zeff was also presented with an award by Jimmy
Yee, as well.
“Fifi is a dynamo who is always generous with her time and knowledge,” said
Yee. “She wears several hats for the Neighborhood Association, which she
joined in 2005. She volunteers for the Legal Services Program of Northern California,
and she has served on several nonprofit boards over the years,” he added.
Zeff’s leadership on the Senior Center Committee has provided the attention
and vision needed to help the senior center struggle through financial and other
challenges. She has reached out to the community to gain support for the senior
center, bringing programming to hundreds of seniors in the community. She has
also brought classes, social networking and advocacy to the community, making
Sierra 2 a vibrant gathering place.
May is Older Americans Month, a great time to bring attention to the issues that
affect older adults and create community-wide opportunities to help older Americans
improve their quality of life. This year’s theme is “Living Today
for a Better Tomorrow.”
By 2030, one in every five Americans will be age 65 or older. Although the risk
of disease increases with advancing age, poor health is not an inevitable consequence
of aging. Many illnesses, disabilities and even death associated with chronic
disease are preventable.
Americans of all ages are encouraged to celebrate Older Americans Month by planning,
promoting and participating in activities during May and throughout the year
which reflect the tenets of the national theme.
“It’s a perfect time and place to honor these outstanding older adults,” said
County Supervisor Susan Peters.
This page and its contents ©2009
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
