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Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame
Know any dynamic central Ohioans over age 60?
Nominate for the Hall of Fame!
COAAA celebrates active and ageless lifestyles by inducting ten exceptional older central Ohioans into the Hall of Fame during Older Americans Month each year. The next annual recognition ceremony and reception will be held on Wednesday, May 16, 2012 in Columbus.
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Nominees are evaluated for their significant contributions to the community after reaching the age of 60. Those selected for induction are role models for leading vibrant, meaningful lives and enriching the quality of life for others. Their compelling stories demonstrate lifelong commitments to causes, organizations and communities.
Inductees receive a Hall of Fame lapel pin, a framed portrait from a professional photographer, and a personal recognition on stage from county commissioners. A professionally catered reception with family and friends follows the ceremony.
The legacy of the Hall of Fame is to preserve and foster an appreciation for those remarkable individuals who helped to shape the future of our communities. Over 390 individuals have been inducted in the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame since 1975.
Any individual or organization may nominate a resident of Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway or Union County. Nominees must be 60 years of age or older and a legal resident of Ohio for the past five years or longer. A married couple may be nominated for one award if both have been equally involved in the same activities and both meet the eligibility criteria.
For any questions, please contact the Hall of Fame Coordinator at the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, 614-645-7250; 1-800-589-7277 or coaaa@coaaa.org.
Click here for a 2012 nomination form. Deadline is February 20, 2011. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone submit a nomination?
Yes. Nominations are submitted by friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, volunteers, clubs, businesses, government, elected officials and non-profit organizations. The individual or married couple nominated must live in the 8-county central Ohio area (Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Pickaway or Union) but the nominator(s) may live outside the eight counties. Self nominations are not accepted.
How can I check if someone is already in the Hall of Fame?
A list of past inductees appears on the website under Hall of Fame Inductees. Click here to see the list of past inductees.
Can I re-nominate someone who was not selected in a prior year?
Yes. Simply call the Hall of Fame Coordinator at 614/645-7250 or 1-800-589-7277 and request that the previously submitted nomination be reconsidered. It is not necessary to rewrite or resubmit the nomination unless there is new or corrected information.
Can I nominate a group, club, agency or organization?
No. The Hall of Fame only recognizes individuals.
What information should I include in the nomination?
Be as descriptive as possible. A resume or list of activities or memberships is not enough information for the committee to make a selection. Tips for preparing a winning nomination: 1) write your nominee's inspiring story so that you will touch the hearts of those who read it; 2) enhance the nomination with letters of support from others who know the nominee.
Can the nomination be a surprise?
No. Obtaining advance permission from the person you wish to nominate is required in case he or she will not be available for the portrait sitting in early April, the ceremony on the third Wednesday in May, or in case the person does not want to accept the recognition.
How are the winners chosen?
Nominees are evaluated for their special contributions to the community after reaching the age of 60, for positively influencing others as role models, and for leading lives not defined by age. Their achievements may demonstrate commitments to formal organizations, including volunteerism, community service, leadership, church and charitable work, or informal efforts such as caregiving and giving a helping hand to neighbors. The selection committee is comprised of COAAA staff, a representative of the City of Columbus Recreation & Parks Department, and a member of the COAAA Advisory Council.
Will I receive notification when winners are announced?
Yes. Letters are sent to all nominees and nominators. If your nominee is selected for induction, you will also receive a phone call or e-mail message offering you the opportunity to deliver the good news personally and be the first to congratulate your nominee.
What is required of the winners?
Winners must be available for a professional portrait sitting in early April and be willing to participate in the Hall of Fame Ceremony on the third Wednesday in May at 1:00 p.m.
How are the winners recognized?
Inductees receive a personal recognition on stage from their county commissioners and other dignitaries, an individual portrait by a professional photographer, and a Hall of Fame lapel pin. The keepsake program distributed at the ceremony dedicates a full page to each inductee's story and photo. Friends, neighbors and family celebrate with their inductees at the professionally catered reception immediately following the ceremony. Throughout the year, monthly issues of the Senior Times feature a quarter-page Hall of Fame 'spotlight', with one spotlight devoted to each inductee. A number of local newspapers also cover Hall of Fame news in May with an interview of the inductee from that community.
Do I need an invitation to attend the Hall of Fame ceremony and reception?
No invitation is necessary. The event is open and free to the public.
Can I bring a group to the ceremony and reception?
Yes. Groups are welcomed and encouraged to attend. No invitation or reservation is necessary. The only requirement is for buses or vans to park in the overflow parking section after delivering passengers to the entrance. On-site staff will direct buses and vans to the appropriate parking area.
Where is the Hall of Fame located?
The permanent home of the Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame is the Martin Janis Center, 600 E. 11th Ave., Columbus. The 'wall of fame' displays plaques with the names and counties of the inductees for each year of the Hall of Fame, along with a display case of group photos from the most recent ceremonies. An historical album provides an alphabetical cross-reference of all inductees, as well as a printed program from each ceremony for the past 14 years. Each program features profiles and photos of the inductees for that year.
Is there a nomination form for the Outstanding Service to Seniors Award?
No. There is no external nomination or formal selection process for this award.
2011 Hall of Fame Ceremony
The 36th annual Central Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame ceremony took place on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at the Martin Janis Center in Columbus. The Dwight Lenox Trio provided pre-ceremony entertainment. After a photo slide show salute to all individuals nominated for 2011, Colleen Marshall of NBC 4 took the stage to host the ceremony and honor the inductees. A catered reception and serenading by the Four Harmony’s Sake quartet followed the ceremony.
Click HERE to see the 2011 inductees!
‘A Tribute to Vibrant, Meaningful Lives’ Slide Presentation
Photos from the 2011 Ceremony
Dwight Lenox performs before the ceremony.
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Emcee Colleen Marshall (NBC 4 anchor) introduces the inductees.
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Zachary Klein, Columbus City Council Member, escorts Laureen Dean to the stage.
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Union County Commissioner Steve Stolte congratulates Elizabeth Grisham.
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Dr. Robert Heiny accepts his award as Fayette
County Commissioner Tony Anderson looks on.
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Zachary Klein, Columbus City Council Member, congratulates Marcus Hunt.
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Judge S. Farrell Jackson accepts his award as
Fairfield County Commissioner Mike Kiger looks on.
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Patricia Obert accepts her award from Zachary Klein, Columbus City Council Member.
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Pickaway County Commissioner Ula Jean Metzler honors Margaret Remy.
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Delaware County Commissioner Tommy Thompson escorts Carolyn Slone from the stage.
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Madison County Commissioner Mark Forrest honors Jim Witwer.
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Emcee Colleen Marshall (NBC 4 anchor) and inductees John and Annalou Campbell
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Hall of Fame reception
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Four Harmony's Sake serenading at reception
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Outstanding Service to Seniors Award
State Farm representatives (l-r) Susan Krieger, Lauren Gould, and Stephanie Shonebarger
accept the award from COAAA Executive Director Cindy Farson as Dave Bibler,
Executive Director of the Licking County Aging Program, looks on.
So much can be accomplished when community members take an interest in the needs of older adults. The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging is proud to honor State Farm Insurance with the ‘2011 Outstanding Service to Seniors Award’ for the benefits provided to Licking County senior citizens through the Good Neighbor Service Month project.
The tag line “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there®” couldn’t be more evident than during Good Neighbor Service Month each June, when employees take time away from work to perform community service for local non-profit organizations. The idea was launched in the spring of 2006 when the Mid-America Zone of State Farm (Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee) decided to engage State Farm agents and employees in demonstrating support for the communities in which they live and work.
At this time, Kim Lust from State Farm’s Newark Operations Center contacted Dave Bibler, executive director of the Licking County Aging Program (LCAP), to develop a service project benefiting seniors. As a past LCAP board member, she was aware of the needs of senior citizens in the community.
Using a waiting list of projects from the chore program, LCAP staff organized outdoor projects at seniors’ homes, including landscape work, cleaning garages and washing windows. A group of 18 State Farm employees volunteered to participate and the annual service project was born.
In recent years the Good Neighbor Service Month project has been organized by State Farm employees, Lauren Gould and Stephanie Shonebarger, who serve on the LCAP board. A group of 12-18 State Farm employees continue to gather each year on a warm June day to help seniors. The volunteers also learn first-hand about the services that LCAP provides to the elderly in the community.
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