COLUMBUS - Ohio Department of Aging is encouraging Ohioans to nominate outstanding elders for the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame and the Joined Hearts in Giving Award.
Nominations for the Hall of Fame are to be accepted through Sunday and for Joined Hearts in Giving through Dec. 31.
The hall of fame celebrates achievements and contributions of older adults, as well as the vital role elders play in their communities. Honorees personify the benefits of active, productive and purposeful living at all points of life. Nominees must be age 60 or older and be native-born Ohioans or residents of the state for at least 10 years. Posthumous nominations are accepted. Nominees will be evaluated on contributions to the arts, business, education, health, activism and science. Selected individuals will be inducted during a May ceremony in recognition of Older Americans Month.
The Joined Hearts in Giving Award is presented in conjunction with Ohio First Lady Karen Waldbillig Kasich and honors couples who share a lifelong commitment not only to each other, but to their community through volunteerism. Eligible couples have been married for at least 40 years with one of the spouses being at least 60 years old. Each spouse must actively participate and volunteer in community service, and the couple's primary residence must be in Ohio. The award is presented during a reception hosted by the first lady at the governor's residence in observance of Valentine's Day.
The department accepts nominations for these honors as well as the Elder Caregiver Award year-round. Nominations received after the annual deadlines will be considered the following year. Individuals being recognized must be aware of and consent to the nomination. Nominations are evaluated by a panel of department staff and state and local partners based on objective criteria.
Nomination forms are on the department's website at www.aging.ohio.gov/
news/nominations.
