August 27, 2007

Two individuals have been honored with Senior Citizen of the Year awards from the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), the Michigan Commission on Services to the Aging (CSA), and the Michigan State Fair.

The awards were presented during a Senior Citizen of the Year Awards Program on Seniors' Day at the 2007 Michigan State Fair in Detroit.

"These awards are presented every year to recognize special older adults for their contributions to our state," said Sharon Gire, OSA Director. "The example they set is an inspiration to others and they deserve to be recognized."

Senior Citizen of the Year Awards focus on two main categories-leadership and service-and reflect contributions made to civic and social life during the past year by persons age 60 and older.

Dr. Karl Gregory of Southfield was one of recipients of the 2007 Senior Citizen of the Year Award for Leadership. He has distinguished himself as a nonprofit volunteer and community leader and as an effective neighborhood activist for health, transportation, civic engagement, and livable communities for all ages. He has worked to better the lives of older adults and individuals with disabilities through numerous organizations including the Downtown Detroit Senior Center, Adult Well-Being Services of Detroit, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and the Detroit Work Force Development Board.

According to Adult Well-Being Services, which nominated him, Gregory "inspires all who come into contact with him by his unwavering commitment to helping others realize their fullest potential as contributors to a healthy, just and peaceful community, state, and nation."

Edward F. Bares of Grand Haven received the other 2007 Service Citizen of the Year Award for Service. During his past 30 years of retirement, he has contributed numerous hours as a volunteer designer, CAD and engineer for E2 technologies, and has refurbished wheel chairs for International Aid which repairs donated, unusable wheel chairs. He visits and runs errands for homebound older adults, and provides transportation for those who no longer drive. He also has served his community through a number of charitable organizations such as the Grand Haven Jaycees, Grand Haven Aviation Club, First Presbyterian Church, and the Grand Haven Toastmaster's Club.

According to International Aid of Spring Lake, which nominated him, Bares is "the volunteer every organization is looking for." He is "devoted, organized, considerate, humble, energetic and humorous. He is an inspiration to those who work with him."