MANSFIELD, Ohio – Since 1976, the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc. has honored outstanding senior citizens from each county of Planning and Service Area 5 and has presented a Community Service Award to one organization providing continuing service to Ohio’s senior citizens.
Since that time, 367 Outstanding Senior Citizens Awards and 39 Community Service Awards have been presented. These annual awards were presented at the Area Agency on Aging, Hawkins Corner, Ontario, on Thursday, Sept. 24.
Duana Patton, Chief Executive Officer of the Area Agency on Aging, welcomed the attendees and guests, local and state elected officials from Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca and Wyandot counties.
The Richland County Outstanding Senior Citizen Award was presented to Mary Lou Haycook, who was recognized for her volunteerism as an RSVP Volunteer through the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging.
Haycook has logged over 5,000 volunteer hours since September 2007. She is a picture of “Positive Aging” and works hard to support staff and seniors at the Area agency on Aging through her volunteering. As an RSVP volunteer her jobs have included, training to become a Matter of Balance Coach, CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) volunteer, and an EMA (Emergency Management Agency) volunteer.
In 2013, she was honored with the U.S. Presidents Volunteer Services Gold Award for volunteering over 500 hours in one year – she volunteered 895 hours that year.
Patton states, “By recognizing these award recipients today, I hope the contributions made by the individuals in their communities are an inspiration to all, regardless of age. Community service can begin at any age and is something you can do for a lifetime.”
