MANSFIELD, Ohio – A number of Richland County organizations and individuals were honored Thursday for their contributions to the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging.
Duana Patton, chief executive officer of the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, said the day was all about bringing together community partners to honor the agency’s mission of serving the area’s aging population.
“We highlight some of the new things we’re doing, some of the great partnerships we have, and we pause for a moment each year to recognize outstanding individuals who have contributed to the mission and made a difference in the lives of those we serve,” said Patton. “There’s a whole list of fantastic folks who help us do what we do, and without them we couldn’t. At the end of the day there’s an individual in the community whose life we made better.”
Patton highlighted the agency’s accomplishments over the year, including the Music and Memory program, new graduates from the wellness program and achievements of the home repair program. More than 300 people attended Thursday’s event at the Mid-Ohio Conference Center. Area seniors, service providers, board members, advisory council members, staff and other dignitaries dotted the audience.
The Project Collaboration Award went to the Scripps Gerontology Center and the Ohio Department of Aging. Bonnie Burman, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, accepted the award.
“We live by the motto that aging is everybody’s business, and the only way we are all as a society going to benefit from the aging of our population is to work together,” said Burman. “Being honored by [Area Agency on Aging District 5] is very important because they get it, and they are so strong when it comes to collaboration and serving. The 300-plus people here aren’t here for the lunch, they’re here because everyone is a part of this community in caring about our elders.”
Another significant honoree during Thursday’s lunch was Rep. Mark Romanchuk, who received the Elected Official of the Year award. Kathy Daniels, an Area Agency board member, described Romanchuk as “community-focused” and praised him as a leader in workforce development as well as policy.
“Those in the aging network have great working relationship with Mr. Romanchuk,” said Daniels. “He’s always open to having discussions about new ideas and issues that affect Ohio’s aging and disabled population. In fact, the representative often initiates conversation and invites the Area Agency to share its expertise on matters that affect Ohioans.”
Romanchuk in turn praised the Area Agency on Aging for its work throughout their district.
“Because of the work you’re doing, our seniors and our disabled population are living better lives and you’re certainly helping our community by doing that,” he said. “I often say in Columbus, we have the best AAA in all the state.”
The Agency’s Advocate of the Year Award went to Anthony DeLong, executive director of the Richland County Veterans Service Commission. Teresa Cook, chief of marketing and development for the Agency, mentioned one project the Agency partnered with DeLong on to find World War II veterans and interview them to record their stories.
“Watching Tony interact with those two WWII veterans is something I’ll never forget,” said Cook. “The respect he gave them, the caring and the true love he has for what he does for our veterans was amazing.”
DeLong said with this award, the agency honored his entire staff at the Veterans Service Commission.
“Every one of our employees give their heart and soul to serving our veterans in Richland County,” said DeLong. “It’s such an honor to be able to sit down and have a one-on-one conversation and serve these veterans, because they have served our country.”
Other organizations honored by the Agency included the Community Action Commission and Mansfield Memorial Homes with the Community Partnership award, and Graham Automall with the Area Agency on Aging Award of Excellence.
Another special recognition, the Hall of Fame, was given to Marcia Rice, a past president and current at-large member of the Agency’s Board of Trustees. Rice described her ability to serve as “a gift from God.”
“I’m just going to continue, and for all of you I just enjoy meeting you and being with you,” she said. “My heart is really strong with the Agency.”
