Gregory Arizona Senior Awards

Gregory Arizona Senior Awards

Jan 11, 2021 | award, seniors

Gregory Arizona Senior Awards

This program is an uplifting 30-minute televised celebration of older Americans’ achievements including Tony Award actor Ben Vereen; internationally acclaimed violinist Jaime Jorge; legendary swing dancer Jean Veloz; renown tap dancer Arthur Duncan; Navajo Code Talker Peter MacDonald Sr.; Jerry Wissink, CEO of the BHHS Legacy Foundation; Al McCoy – the voice of the Phoenix Suns; Hall of Fame Awardees; and others.

The show will highlight how public-private partnerships are working together to reduce senior and veteran’s food insecurity in Arizona and how healthy choices help seniors live their best life.

Thank you for watching the tv special and helping Gregory’s Fresh Market celebrate 10 years. Countless thanks to Frontdoors Media for the photo highlights. Click Here to see the video and photos.

Eighth Annual Senior Award Honorees Announced

Sep 8, 2019 | award, seniors

 On Friday, September 27, 2019, at 10:30 AM at The Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, Diana Gregory Outreach Services will introduce the 2019 Senior Award honorees. These awards honor individuals over 70 years of age whose leadership and commitment have significantly contributed to Arizona’s and the nation’s future. 

Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson

The Lifetime Achievement Awardee will be given to Rev. Dr. Dosia Carlson. Dr. Carlson is a composer, writer, pastor emeritus, and so much more. In 1981, Dr. Carlson founded the Beatitude Center for Developing Older Adult Resources (DOAR), now known as DUET, Partners in Health and Aging. DUET provides volunteer services for homebound adults, support groups for caregivers, guidance for grandparents raising grandchildren, and help for faith communities to establish health ministries.

 Ronnie Lopez

The Treasure of Arizona Awardee will be given to Ronnie Lopez, an admired CEO, Chief of Staff to a former governor, and staunch steward for civil rights. Ronnie Lopez’s service to Arizona has encompassed all three realms: the political, the business, and civil rights. And his service has encompassed not only the local but also the state and national levels.

Roy Dawson

The Advocacy Awardee will be given to Roy Dawson. As a community volunteer, Roy’s extensive experience in community development, civil rights, family services, philanthropy, diversity leadership, and child advocacy qualify him as an Arizona activist!

Peter MacDonald Sr

Peter MacDonald Sr. will receive the Distinguished Veteran and Trailblazer Award. He is Navajo Code Talker, a former chairman of the Navajo Nation, and decorated veteran. Peter MacDonald Sr. is one of only 400 Native Americans who served as a Navajo Code Talker—the only military code in modern history that was never broken by the enemy. The Navajo Code Talkers and their 600 words were the secret weapons of World War II. 

Miss Jean Veloz

The Outstanding Fitness Awardee, Miss Jean Veloz, 95 years young, is THE only surviving dancing star of the 1940s who still performs. Hollywood-Style Lindy icon, living legend from the LA dance scene of the 1940s to the present-day swing revival, and choreographer to the stars, Jean Phelps Veloz has never missed a step!

Ben Vereen

The Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award will be presented to Ben Vereen.  He is a gifted dancer, singer, Tony Award winning actor – spokesperson.  Few entertainers today are as accomplished as Ben Vereen. Whether on stage (theatre, admittedly, is his first love), in films, or on TV, Ben Vereen’s countless performances around the world showcase his timeless talent, versatility, and dedication. 
Please join us as we honor these remarkable individuals. Table sponsorships range from $100-$10,000 and can be purchased online at www.dianagregory.com. All funds raised will support sustained outreach services for seniors. If you are unable to attend the event, please consider sponsoring a senior.  

About Diana Gregory Outreach Services 

The mission of Diana Gregory Outreach Services is to enrich lives through healthy eating. We do this by providing access to fresh produce to low-income seniors, veterans and vulnerable individuals in our community who are experiencing health disparities. Our impactful programs and services are focused on holistic health, nutrition, and fitness through on-site farmers’ markets and educational programs. Our purpose is simple: “We have a responsibility to ensure no senior and their families in our community go to bed hungry.”
Honoring Peter MacDonald Sr. at the Senior Awards

Honoring Peter MacDonald Sr. at the Senior Awards

Sep 2, 2019 | award, fundraiser, seniors

At the 8th Annual Senior Awards, Peter MacDonald Sr. will receive the Distinguished Veteran and Trailblazer Award. He is a Navajo Code Talker, a former chairman of the Navajo Nation, and decorated veteran. Peter MacDonald Sr. is one of only 400 Native Americans who served as a Navajo Code Talker—the only military code in modern history that was never broken by the enemy. The Navajo Code Talkers and their 600 words were the secret weapons of World War II.

Join us on Friday, September 27.  All proceeds from the Senior Awards benefit senior outreach programs.  For more information on tickets,  Click here

About Diana Gregory Outreach Services

Founded in 2009, the mission of Diana Gregory Outreach Services is to enrich lives through healthy eating. We do this by providing access to fresh produce to low-income seniors, veterans and vulnerable individuals in our community who are experiencing health disparities. Our impactful programs and services are focused on holistic health, nutrition, and fitness through on-site farmers’ markets and educational programs. Our purpose is simple: “We have a responsibility to ensure no senior and their families in our community go to bed hungry.”

Learn more about Senior Awards Luncheon click here

Diana Gregory Outreach Services Hall of Fame Awardees

Aug 31, 2019 | award, Hall of Fame

The film industry has its Oscars. The world of sports has its Olympics. The music industry has its Grammy’s. Television has its Emmys. And journalism has it Pulitzers. Like each of these examples and scores of others, Arizona now has its Senior Awards.

Gregory’s Fresh Market has honored and celebrated some amazing seniors, centenarians and one supercentenarian over the last eight years at the Senior Awards.  Don’t miss the 8thAnnual Senior Awards on Friday, September 27.

All proceeds from the luncheon benefit outreach services for seniors and veterans.  For more information, visit the 8th Annual Senior Awards.  Diana Gregory Outreach Services is approved for the Arizona Tax Credit.  The code is 21050.

Diana Gregory, Experience Matters Encore Impact Award Recipient

Diana Gregory, Experience Matters Encore Impact Award Recipient

Feb 23, 2018 | award, Giving

Diana Gregory, Experience Matters Encore Impact Award Recipient

I am honored to have been selected the Experience Matters 2017 Encore Impact Award recipient. Experience Matters has provided support and an Encore Fellow to provide a development assessment and build an infrastructure that will make Gregory’s Fresh Market and Diana Gregory Outreach Services sustainable. Thank you to the Experience Matters Board of Directors and staff for this award.

Doris Hudson Gives A Performance We Will Remember

Nov 2, 2016 | award, events

doris hudsonIn 2015, trumpeter, Dr. Jesse McGuire, began a new tradition for the Senior Awards Luncheon, i.e., playing of the National Anthem.  His rendition was heartfelt and was especially poignant given the presence of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.  We wanted the 2016 National Anthem performance to be just as special.  A friend asked us to consider Doris Hudson to sing the Anthem.  I thought it would be difficult for a non-musician to follow Dr. McGuire’s 2015 performance.  However, I found myself once again stepping out on faith and not by sight and Doris Hudson was added to the program to perform the singing of the National Anthem.  I am so thankful we did this.  The moment Doris began to sing, a metamorphosis came over the room.  It was as if we were transformed in time and place that gave rise to a feeling I had never experienced before.  This was a special moment in the history of our event not unlike Whitney Houston’s performance in 1991 during Super Bowl XXV.  Apparently, Doris Hudson is a classically trained singer and currently sings with the Praise and Worship Team at her local church.  Thank you, Doris Hudson, for a great performance, we will always remember.  Doris Hudson is the Service Coordinator at Sunnyslope Manor.