CENTRAL PARK – For the past eight years, the Senior Heroes Awards has honored and recognized individuals or organizations who support and care for seniors in Clark County. This year’s event took place July 18 at the Luepke Senior Center.
There were approximately 200 people in attendance, including 35 sponsors, awardees, nominees, friends, family, and other community supporters. Vancouver Police Department is a sponsor, along with the Alzheimer’s Association, Waste Connections, CMAC (Community Military Appreciation Committee), HOPE Dementia Support, and various assisted living facilities such as Cogir Senior Living and Koelsch.
Senior Heroes Awards provided a $1,000 grant to the nonprofit Battle Ground Senior Citizens Inc. to further their program. Three caregivers of the year each received a $500 check, along with their trophies and a basket full of items donated by the sponsors. Jo Waddell was awarded the Senior Champion award.
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle gave an inspirational speech, and U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, also spoke. Pat Jollota, who is the namesake of the top award, was the keynote speaker and awed the audience with her words of wisdom and motivational speech.
