Our 4th Annual Senior’s Luncheon an Inspirational Heart Warming Event
Hundreds of community supporters filled the ballroom of the Arizona Biltmore Resort to honor and celebrate individuals who are thriving in their twilight years. The Fourth Annual Senior Awards were held on Friday, Sept. 25. 
Susan Casper, Host of Sonoran Living Live, ABC15 was the emcee. Gregory’s Fresh Market presents this annual event because the holidays can be a lonely time for some seniors. Proceeds from the luncheon provide bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to over 2,000 seniors during the holidays. This year’s sponsors were presenting sponsor ONECare by Care1st Health Plan Arizona, Inc., Southwest Airlines, Walgreens, Southwest Gas, Cox, Henkel, Arizona Foundation for Women, Girl Scouts-Arizona Cactus-Pine Council, Inc., Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Majerle’s Sports Grill and the Arizona Informant.
“All of our honorees have blazed trails and have truly transformed lives through their service to others,” said Diana Gregory, founder of Gregory’s Fresh Market and the annual Senior Awards program. “By gracing us with their presence and their stories, they delight and inspire us all over again – transcending time, space and generations.” “Thank you to everyone that contributed to making the event successful.”
This year, four centenarians were celebrated. They were Clara Bloom (100), Hilda Jones (102), Vicky Moe (103) and supercentenarian and author Bernando LaPallo (114).
The Senior Volunteer Award is given to those individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities and devote time and energy to improve the quality of life for others. This year’s recipients were James Soudriette and Helen Lou Woody.
Lester Strong, Vice President of External Affairs and Experience Corps spoke about the importance of the program. Experience Corps is a program of AARP Foundation which tutors and mentors elementary school children (K-3) who struggle with reading by utilizing the skills and experiences of adults 50 and over. Experience Corps serves 32,000 students in 23 cities. Strong received the Community Collaboration Award.
Senior Coordinator Awards were presented to Amy McWilliams, Gabriela Razo and Brenda Taylor. This award recognizes the honorees’ excellent work in meeting the social service needs of seniors and assisting them with maintaining their independence as long as possible.
The following awards were nominated by leaders in the community based on alignment with Gregory’s Fresh Market mission and selected by a panel of judges.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Dr. Pearl Tang. Dr. Tang is a leader, advocate and champion for women and children’s health and welfare. She participates in many programs and carries on the legacy of her late husband, the Honorable Judge Thomas Tang of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award was given to the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. The Tuskegee Airmen had a crucial role in demolishing the barriers to progress for all minorities in America. The chapter carries on the legacy through many local and national community programs.
The Outstanding Fitness Award was presented to Tao Porchon-Lynch. At 97, she is the oldest yoga teacher by Guinness World Records. She is also a ballroom dancer and activist. Tao is a living advertisement for how to tap into our human potential. She is unique in her ability to overcome the effects of aging by controlling her body and mind in harmony with Yoga’s principles.
Each year, Gregory’s Fresh Market enriches the lives of more than 6,000 Arizona seniors through its on-site farmers market program, nutrition education, delivery of fresh produce for health and wellness workshops, and provides the gift of health and nutrition during the holidays where seniors receive bags of fresh fruits and vegetables. Gregory’s Fresh Market is a division of Diana Gregory Outreach Services.
