Garfield County Senior Awards
The annual Garfield County Senior Awards honors the contributions of citizens who dedicate their time, effort, and love to help seniors in the community. It was great to have the event in-person again in 2023 and see all your smiling faces. Ginnie Miller was named Senior of the Year; High County Volunteers earned Friend of the Seniors honors; and Leonard and Cora Pipkins took home the Senior Couple of the Year award. A wonderful time was had by all attendees, most of which donned such unique and colorful hats to brighten up the celebration.
2023 Senior Citizen of the Year
Ginnie Miller volunteers at Sunnyside and the Carbondale meal sites where she helps set up tables, serves the meal, and cleans up at both sites. She is a good friend, drives others to appointments and is a good listener and always willing to help. She volunteers at Valley View Hospital and gives her time and energy with a smile on her face.
2023 Friend of the Seniors
High County RSVP became High County Volunteers, and from the outside it was a smooth transition, but Mary Moon created a new nonprofit, prepared, and received incorporation papers, established new banking, internet, HR policies, etc. They have grown their community partners to 75 and volunteers have grown to 371 with over 100 new volunteers in the last year. Mary and her staff, Maria Langen and Steve Swanson, offer amazing programs for older adults in Garfield County – Tax Assistance Program, SHIP Medicare Program, Education Classes, and volunteer placement.
2023 Couple of the Year
Leonard and Cora Pipkins both spend countless hours volunteering at Valley Senior Center serving the congregate meals, offering new social events, and making everyone feel welcomed at the center. Cora has taken on a leadership role on the Garfield County Council on Aging, Senior Programs Advisory Board, and the Region XI Council on Aging, where you are improving the lives of seniors throughout Garfield County. She facilitates, runs, and organizes so many activities at the Center and gives rides to people so they can attend. She also teaches Geri Fit classes at the center which are well attended with a high rate of graduates. Cora and Leonard are “doers” we are fortunate that they are working for the seniors. Both of you show selfless acts of kindness and compassion every day.
Other nominees:
Cathy Dyer has been donating ice for the lunches at Valley Senior Center for years. Last year, she donated homemade cupcakes and always has a smile and loves the Grand Junction Rockies.
Inez Bergerson keeps things going in Parachute at Valley Senior Center. She is always willing to train newbies. She is friendly to everyone and is willing to open up her home. She faithfully serves the meals.
Nancy McNabb Hill is friendly to everyone and notices you even if it is outside the senior center. She helps serves the food, takes meals to people who are sick, and cooked for a family when they first moved to town.
Bev Reed is very friendly, She helps take others to places and helps out all the time at Valley Senior Center putting decorations away, organizing groups, etc. She greets folks at the meal and becomes a friend to those that need one.
Sharon Taylor is a super nice lady at Rifle Senior Center. A friend to all and she serves on so many committees, such as the Advisory Board, Sales & Cans. She has a sweetheart and greets seniors as they enter for the lunches with a smile or a joke. She has a great family and two cats that give her a wonderful job.
Senior Program awards winners 2018
2018
Richard "Dick" Smith - Senior Citizen of the Year
Dennis Sykes - Friend of the Seniors
Laura Goodwin - Teacher of the Year
Carl and Kathy Vogt - Couple of the Year
Senior Program awards winners 2017
2017
Sunny Dunn Linn - Senior Citizen of the Year
Sharon Harper - Friend of the Seniors award
Chelsea Carnoali Parkison - Friend of the Seniors Under Duress
Senior Program awards winners 2016
2016
Socorro Flores - Friend of the Seniors award
Debra Newland - Senior of the Year