With nearly 500,000 people age 60 or older, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties are national examples of America’s future. Business and community leaders, who support the efforts of the Alliance for Aging, applaud those older adults who are “giving back” to their communities and on Thursday, November 5, 2015, the Alliance for Aging will presented awards to 14 local individuals who are examples of Positive Living at the 9th ANNUAL POSITIVE LIVING AWARDS at Jungle Island.
Chaired by Alliance Board member, Lorraine Harris, the Positive Living Awards is a nationally recognized event that honors individuals in eleven distinct areas – And the winners were:
Animal-Wildlife: Saul Friess, nominated by and presented by AvMed
Arts, Media, Sports and Entertainment: Rachel Blechman, nominated by former winner, Dr. Wil Blechman, and presented by Florida Power and Light
Corporate/Public Service: Joan Spector, nominated by Virginia Jacko of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, and presented by Sabadell United Bank
Education/Mentoring: Dr. Perla Tabares Hantman, nominated by Liliam Lopez and presented by CAC Medical Centers and Continucare
Faith/Interfaith: Alberto Cosio, nominated by Sofia Powell-Cosio and Verna Reizen, nominated by Mimi Pink, and presented by Vitas Healthcare
Healthcare: Dr. Fred Bergman, nominated by Milton Fisher and presented by United Healthcare
Intergenerational: Dr. Judith Rosenbaum, nominated by former winner, Bunchy Gertner, and presented by the Residences at United Homecare
Philanthropy: Glenn Hubert, nominated by David Feigenbaum of Jewish Community Services and presented by Jewish Community Services
Positive Living: Ruth Campbell, nominated by Commissioner Judy Waldman
President’s Distinguished Service Awards for Excellence:
Dr. Michele Ciccazzo, nominated by Dr. Mark Williams
Dr. Shirley Freeman, nominated by Diane Brady Rhoades
Dr. Richard J. Strachan, nominated by former winner, Dr. Enid Pinkney
Dr. Billy K. Yeh, nominated by Deborah J. Lowe, JD, LLM
“This was a wonderful festivity that recognized South Florida’s senior community and their commitment to Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties,” said Harris. “For 364 days out of the year, the Alliance serves the vulnerable elderly in our community. This one night, they took the opportunity to celebrate our older populations’ vitality and their contributions to making our community a better place. They are all so inspiring.”
The Positive Living Awards were presented at a special dinner event on Thursday, November 5th 2015, at Jungle Island. Sponsors included Sabadell United Bank, United Health Care, AvMed, CAC Medical/Continucare, Florida Power & Light, Jewish Community Services of South Florida, Residences of United HomeCare, Vitas Healthcare, Simply Healthcare, Sunshine Health, Amerigroup, Baptist Health of South Florida, Commissioner Bruno Barreiro, Humana/American Eldercare, Leon Medical Centers and Lighthouse for the Blind.