February 17, 2006

In cooperation with Consumers Energy, Michigan's Commission on Services to the Aging has selected Dale Forsyth as the Gatekeeper of the Year.

Working as a Customer Accounts Specialist in the Credit Department of Consumers Energy in Adrian, Forsyth continually goes above and beyond to serve elderly customers.

In one instance, he went to an elderly customer’s home to disconnect the heat due to nonpayment. Upon arriving at the home, he found an elderly customer that lived alone, with no car and no phone service. Forsyth kept the heat on and referred the customer to the local area agency on aging. On another occasion, his concern for a recently widowed elderly customer resulted in another referral to the area agency on aging. Through the referral made by Forsyth, the customer agreed to participate in the senior nutrition program, Veterans services, and debt counseling.

“Mr. Forsyth’s efforts to protect local seniors are extraordinary, he has helped connect seniors in need to the services of the aging network,” said Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. “The Gatekeeper program shows the potential in all of us to look out for our elderly family and neighbors.”

Consumers Energy initiated the Gatekeeper program in Michigan in 1987 as a way to identify elderly community members in need of assistance. Each month, employees of Consumers Energy are nominated for identifying and assisting an at-risk elder who is age 60 and older and in need of assistance. The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging honors one employee each month, and then a Gatekeeper of the Year is selected from the monthly winners.

This is the second time that Mr. Forsyth was honored as Gatekeeper of the Year. He was also given the award in 2002. To commemorate the honor, Mr. Forsyth was presented with a plaque and a congratulatory letter from Governor Granholm at the February 17, 2006 meeting of the Michigan Commission of Services to the Aging.