AROUND TOWN: Volunteers saluted by Senior Resource Council
Volunteers who go “above and beyond” to help seniors in the community were honored Aug. 3 in the name of the late Joe Henjum, who with wife JoAnn founded the Senior Resource Council.
Emcee of the tribute at the Garden of the Gods Club was Janet Perreault, recipient of the 2011 Joe Henjum Legacy Award, who passed the torch to 2012 honoree, Police Lt. Howard Black. Black has been focused on the prevention of elder abuse, said Perrault, and was instrumental in the creation of a partnership between the CSPD and Silver Key Senior Services, resulting in the training of over 900 law enforcement officers in elder abuse and intervention.
Named Young Professional of the Year was Kristi Graham of Life Care Center, a volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association’s annual Memories in the Making Art Auction.
For-profit Business of the Year and SRC Community Partner of the Year was American Medical Responsefor the Home for the Holidays program that has been offered for over 30 years. Nursing facilities residents get free medical transportation to be with their families for the holiday.
Nonprofit Business of the Year was Bethesda Senior Living Communities: ViewPointe Independent and Assisted Living and Broadmoor Court. During the Waldo Canyon fire, 123 residents were safely evacuated from ViewPointe Independent and Assisted Living facility to their sister community of Broadmoor Court, where they lived for four days.
Caregiver of the Year was CU Aging Center, represented by Mike Kenny, which collaborated with Peak Vista Community Health Centers for a model involving both behavioral and medical care.
Senior Volunteer of the Year: Al Williams, Regional Advisory Council for the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging, who started a bus transportation system at First United Methodist Church for those who might otherwise be isolated and unable to attend church.
American Medical Response was saluted as an SRC volunteer and community partner. Council volunteers honored were Holly Skelton and Judy Ververs from ERA Shields, and Ben Taylor from Right at Home Senior Care.