An exceptional group of senior citizens gathered at the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging on Thursday to be honored as the agency’s outstanding senior citizens of the year. Friends and family in each of the agency’s nine counties nominated the nine senior citizens in recognition of their incredible acts of service.
Duana Patton, Chief Executive Officer for the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, said the agency has been recognizing seniors through the award ceremony for more than 15 years.
“These are people who have volunteered within their communities giving back to schools and churches and service organizations, and offering great things,” said Patton. “We are merely the venue and the planning part behind this. It is the local people who recognized someone outstanding in their community.”
From Ashland County, Dick Rieser was nominated by the Kingston of Ashland Activity Department for his work at the Kingston of Ashland Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility. For almost 21 years, 80-year-old Rieser has been visiting different nursing home residents religiously since the day after he retired in 1994.
“I’ve appreciated doing my work for 25 years, and people always ask me to come back tomorrow,” said Rieser. “I just can’t seem to quit.”
The Ohio District 5 Area on Aging nominated Su Rowles of Crawford County. Rowles has served as executive director of the NOAH project for 14 years, which provides much-needed affordable housing to Crestline’s senior citizen population. Rowles believes in striving to create and/or rehab rural communities and cities into safe and healthy communities.
“People are my passion and so is community, and we have a big task ahead of us because seniors have a special place in our hearts,” said Rowles.
Nominated by Senior Enrichment Services, husband and wife team Max and Corrine Opper represents Huron County. Celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this year, the Oppers help with transportation at the Carriage House as Corrine Opper has obtained a CDL and is first-aid certified while Max Opper helps the residents with mobility issues. In addition to helping with transportation and volunteering, Max Opper often impersonates Elvis and throws strings of beads to nursing home residents.
“We really do enjoy our work,” said Corrine Opper. “Even though we’re seniors ourselves, we still enjoy helping those who can’t get around so good.”
Nominated by the Marion Senior Center in Marion County, Brenda Donegan is very active in various volunteer activities including mentoring students at George Washington School and volunteering with her church for Operation Christmas Child. Donegan also participates in the Marion Popcorn Parade as parade organizer since 1995. Donegan is an active member of Grand Prairie Baptist Church, served as president of the American Cancer Society Board, and served on the Ohio Division American Cancer Society Board of Directors.
Deb Noll nominated Jean Smith from Morrow County for her volunteerism. Smith is a retired school nurse who served many years in the Cardington-Lincoln Local Schools and other Morrow and Marion County Schools. Smith continues to use her nursing skills volunteering at church camps and as a first responder when called upon by the Red Cross; in the summer of 2013 Smith responded with water and supplies to flooded regions in Iowa. She also helped establish the Cardington Community Food Pantry.
“I’ve not done anything at all except what God has put in front of me,” said Smith.
Morrow County Commissioner Tom Whiston was one of many local officials presenting proclamations to award winners, and presented Smith with a proclamation of her own.
“We really appreciate what you do for Morrow County,” said Whiston. “It really shines because of you.”
Mike and Joanna Estep of Seneca County were nominated by the Seneca County Commission of Aging for their active involvement in the Seneca County Commission on Aging Meals On Wheels program. The Esteps are also actively involved with the Seneca County Chaplain Corp. aiding in disaster relief, counseling, running a canteen to help the fire department, and miscellaneous things to help area relief as much as possible.
“It’s an honor for us to have this award, but it’s easy to do volunteer work when you’re working with good people,” said Mike Estep.
From Wyandot County, the Wyandot County Council on Aging nominated Charlotte Leeth for her work with Wyandot’s youth. Leeth taught English at Upper Sandusky High School for 35 years, also serving as the Dean of Students and Student Council advisor for many years. In addition, Leeth became principal at the local elementary school, teaching high school English in the morning and going to the elementary school in the afternoon. After retiring at the age of 70, Leeth started volunteering at the probation office to help improve their grades and, by extension, their self-image.
“Every day is what you make it, and I intend on making every day great,” said Leeth.
In addition to the award recipients present, two awards were given posthumously. The late Alice Gray of Knox County was nominated by South Vernon United Methodist Church for her work as a volunteer in the summer reading program at South Vernon in cooperation with Columbia Elementary School. Gray was also active in the United Methodist Women’s program that honors veterans at the Columbus and Cleveland Veterans hospitals; she would visit veterans and pass out cards and gifts thanking them for their service.
The late Frank Russo of Richland County, nominated by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, was also awarded posthumously. Russo, a U.S. Air Force veteran, was very involved with area veteran organizations including the Richland County Chapter 51 of the Korean War Veterans Association and presented approximately 1,100 Richland County Korean War veterans with a Memorial Medallion to honor the veterans and their descendants. Russo was also a member of St. Peter’s Parish and served on the Sierra Club and as a Eucharistic minister, bringing Holy Communion to nursing homes and assisted living residents.
“It’s honorable that Frank served in the armed services, but it’s admirable that he came back to this community and served this community in the way he did,” said Mansfield Mayor Tim Theaker. “He was always there for anybody. Whenever you needed anything at all, all you had to do was go to Frank.”
“Without the volunteerism of the senior citizens of our county – as I’ve always said, when you really want to get something done, let a senior citizen do it,” added Richland County Commissioner Tim Wert.
The Area Agency on Aging also awarded the 2014 Community Service Award to the Carey Food Pantry, nominated by the Wyandot County Council on Aging. The Carey Food Pantry served 1,010 families in 2013 with their numbers growing annually. Though the pantry experienced a setback in 2007 when a storm caused widespread flooding in the area and the pantry was forced to relocate for a year, they still manage to provide local families with boxed and canned food, meat and vouchers for eggs, milk and fresh bread.
“It’s a great way we can say thanks to people, who give so much, and to honor and show appreciation for them today,” said Patton.
“Every day is what you make it, and I intend on making every day great,” said Charlotte Leeth.
