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A program to recognize people who help out seniors — and who are themselves 55 or older — has grown into a much-anticipated event over the last four years as Culture to Culture founder Chia-Chia Chien of Alamo uses her resources to provide fun entertainment and a delicious repast along with honoring the nominees.
But first come award nominations, which are due Sept. 1. Several winners will be chosen as finalists and will receive $250 plus certificates from local legislators.
“These awards are to recognize seniors providing voluntary service to our community in the hope that it will inspire others to serve,” Chien said. “Our focus is on what the older generation can do, not what they can’t do.”
Nominees always range in age, although they must be at least 55. In 2009, a special Super Senior Award was given to Sarah Baggarozza, 103, for her continuing volunteer work for more than 11 years at the Antioch Senior Center. She walked unaided to receive certificates from local legislators and an African violet.
“At any age, Sarah is an asset to our Senior Center, but at 103 she is an inspiration to us all,” read her nomination by Brenda Perry.
Each senior must be nominated by another individual and that nominator can submit only one senior, describing the volunteer activities in 500 words or less, and including the following information: nominee’s age, email address, telephone number, contact information of three references, nature of the nomination in terms of the length, hours, its significance and impact.
In addition to supplying information about their nominee, nominators should supply their own contact information, including phone number.
Email nominations to senioraward2011@culturetoculture.org.
All of the nominees will be feted at the Senior Volunteer Awards Ceremony at 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 16, at the Jewish Community Center, 2071 Tice Valley Blvd. in Walnut Creek.
All of the nominees will be honored at this time along with the finalists, who will receive cash prizes.
“The names are kept secret until the awards ceremony, adding to the surprise. I equate it with the Emmy or Academy awards,” Chien said with a laugh.
“While winners will be selected from the nominees, it is important to remember that each of the nominees is a community hero,” she added.
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Last year’s winners. Contributed photo. -
Chia-Chia Chien welcomes everyone to the 2010 Senior Volunteer Awards, which was held at the Kensington in Pleasant Hill. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli. -
Dancers from the Culture-to-Culture Foundation entertain at last year’s awards celebration. Photo by Dolores Fox Ciardelli.
