ONTARIO — The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging Inc. has selected Barbara Kessler as the 2016 Outstanding Senior Citizen for Richland County.
Kessler and eight other recipients were honored on Thursday at a ceremony hosted at Hawkins Corner. She has volunteered at the local YMCA for more than 24 years.
Kessler is the founder and teacher of the “Wacky Wild Water Walkers,” an aerobics class designed for older adults. She also dedicates much of her time to the YMCA’s “Learn to Swim” program, which focuses on teaching people of all ages how to swim.
Each year the Area Agency on Aging honors senior citizens who are making a difference in their communities and present a positive image of aging.
There is one award recipient for each county in the Agency’s service area (Richland, Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Seneca, and Wyandot, respectively.)
Honorees must first be nominated by an individual or organization involved with seniors. They are then selected by the Agency based on the impact of their contributions and accomplishments within the community made after reaching age 60.
The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging, Inc., located at 2131 Park Avenue West in Ontario, provides leadership, collaboration, coordination and services to older adults, people with disabilities, their caregivers and resource networks that support individual choice, independence and dignity.
