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.
I was inspired by a speech many years ago where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated “Life’s Most Persistent and Urgent Question Is: What Are You Doing For Others?” Five years ago, I founded Gregory’s Fresh Market because I was committed and passionate about wanting to help improve lives for seniors. I was honored to be recognized for our work in serving over 6,000 seniors by providing them with access to fresh fruits and vegetables, nutrition and fitness education at the 29th Annual Living the Dream Dr. MLK Jr. Awards Breakfast on Friday, January 16. Gregory’s Fresh Market was the recipient of the 2015 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream Award. Many thanks to Sara Presler, President and CEO of the Arizona Foundation for Women for the nomination. The event was sponsored by the Arizona Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Committee and supported by the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission.
Mr. Calvin Coolidge Goode – his name says much more than who was President when he was born. It speaks to the hopes, the dreams, and the aspirations of his parents from nearly 87 1/2 years ago. It tells you that in 1927, in rural Oklahoma, a child could bring great joy, hope and promise for the future no matter the current circumstances, to one day make great contributions to society. That was a period in time when we worked hard and fought hard to achieve life victories both big and small. And during Mr. Goode’s lifetime, his work ethic, courage and vision brought victories that were both plentiful and important. In 1949, he earned two college degrees from Arizona State University. In 1972 he was elected to the Phoenix City Council where he served 22 years. He was the longest serving city council person in the history of the city. He won a great victory for humanity when he passed a city council ordinance that made it illegal to discriminate in employment on the basis on race, physical disability or sexual orientation. He fought many battles and won more victories in the world of education and business, as a long-term employee of the Phoenix School System and as the owner of Goode and Associates, an accounting firm – H&R Block had nothing on Mr. Goode. He had amazing victories to recognize the King Holiday first by the city of Phoenix and eventually by the state of Arizona. His victory over Ward Connerly’s phony Civil Rights Initiative drew national attention.
As the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Tanner Properties, he is an advocate for bringing affordable housing options to seniors. Over 550 units of affordable housing apartments are available to elderly and disabled persons. Every facet of his life has brought about triumphant victories, not only for himself but mainly for his community. We as a community are better off because of these great victories over adversity and his ability to stand tall in the face of myriad obstacles.
Mr. Goode had the ability to persevere under the toughest of conditions until we as a community could realize the dream and claim the victory in hand. Mr. Goode, we recognize and honor you for your lifetime of commitment and accomplishments. The Third annual Seniors Awards Luncheon is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of Mr. Goode. The vision of your family from that first day has been realized many times over for your accomplishments – too numerous to mention – and your leadership in our community. You did your parents proud, Mr. Calvin Goode. You did us all proud. Thank you.
Have you purchased your tickets? Click here to purchase tickets for the 3rd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon and join us in honoring Mr. Goode and other unsung heroes. Thank you.
Gregory’s Fresh Market’s 2nd Annual Senior Awards Luncheon was a huge success. We are especially grateful to Susan Casper, Host of ABC15 Sonoran Living Live, Phoenix and Robert Ferguson, creator of the Diet Free Life System for their support in hosting this years program. The luncheon’s focus continues to be on our unsung heroes and Resident Service Coordinators, who have as their passion the care and needs of our senior citizens.
As a result of the funds raised at this year’s luncheon, Diana Gregory Outreach Service Foundation and Gregory’s Fresh Market will be providing over 1,000 free bags of fresh fruits and vegetables to senior citizens throughout the communities that we serve. If you would like more information about Gregory’s Fresh Market or would like to know how you can sponsor a bag of fresh produce for seniors during the holidays, please contact me by filling in the form below. Thank you. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking Donate
Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation (DGOSF) is pleased to announce the 2012 Senior Awards luncheon celebrating the accomplishments of seniors and those who are dedicated to providing them with quality health care. The mission is to provide farmers markets and nutrition education solutions to enrich lives under the Gregory’s Fresh Market brand. We extend an invitation for you to join us for this inaugural event at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Phoenix on Friday, October 26, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The theme for this year is “Transforming Communities throughHealthy Lifestyles”. This year’s keynote speaker is Robert Ferguson. He is a nationally recognized voice of
Dr. Joel Martin
wellness and weight loss, certified nutritionist, CEO of Diet Free Life, and host of the upcoming talk show Diet Free Life with Robert Ferguson. Dr. Joel Martin, Speaker, Author and President of Triad West is the Mistress of Ceremony.
The purpose of the luncheon is to recognize and honor outstanding seniors, who after age 65, have made significant contributions to their communities. Eight awards will be presented at the luncheon: Three Distinguished Senior Awards and five Exceptional Service Coordinator Awards. Recipients will be awarded from independent senior locations serviced by DGOSF in the Greater Phoenix area.
The luncheon is the annual fundraiser for DGOSF and funds raised will support our outreach services for seniors. We rely upon the support of organizations like yours to make the luncheon a success. We ask that you purchase a Gold, Silver, or Bronze sponsorship package to ensure the success of this fundraising effort. Or, if you are unable to attend, please consider making a donation for sponsoring seniors to attend. To purchase an individual ticket to this event click here.
Please join us in the celebration. Thank you for your support of Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation, a 501 (c)(3) organization.
Gregory’s Fresh Market Place (GFMP) is enriching lives and assisting people in achieving healthy eating through access to fresh produce and promoting nutrition with on-site farmers markets in independent living facilities. We offer nutrition education classes with food demonstrations, exercise and fitness classes. To date, GFMP has served over 5,000 seniors in the Greater Phoenix area. The senior locations serviced by GFMP average between 100 to 450 residents.
Did you know that 1 out of 7 seniors go to bed hungry because they have to make a choice between medication and food, and they choose medication. If they ate more fruits and vegetables, they would take less medication.
Join with us. Together, we can grow the number of seniors we are serving.
Your tax deductible donations are appreciated and can be mailed payable to: Diana Gregory Outreach Services Foundation, 1928 E. Highland Ave. Suite F104-223, Phoenix, AZ 85016-4636.
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.
