Virtual Rise & Shine Event Celebrates Outstanding Local Seniors
TAMPA – Senior Connection Center announced their Salt & Pepper Outstanding Senior Award winners for 2020/2021 at their May 25th Rise & Shine Awards Ceremony. Due to COVID restrictions, this year’s event was done virtually with more than 250 people participating from their home and work computers. “We had to cancel last year’s event due to the pandemic, so it was especially important to have a ceremony this year,” said Senior Connection Center’s Vice President, Patty Suarez. “Even if we had to have a virtual event, it was still very exciting to recognize these award winners and share the heartwarming stories of the impact they have on their communities.”
The Salt & Pepper Awards are a tribute to the late Honorable Claude Pepper, who represented Florida in Congress for decades and was instrumental in developing our country’s Medicare program. Awards are presented to local seniors in the categories of Philanthropy, Community Service & Volunteerism, Arts & Entertainment, and Health & Wellness. There is also an award presented to the Senior-Friendly Business of the Year.
The following is a listing of the 2020/2021 Salt & Pepper (S&P) Award recipients:
Community Service & Volunteerism: Lillie Nichols for volunteering thousands of hours over the past decade as a Foster Grandparent with Seniors in Service of Tampa Bay and Dr. Irene Dion for her dedication to protecting vulnerable seniors who are living in facilities by serving as a Long Term Care Ombudsman
Arts & Entertainment: Floyd Love for sharing his love of music and talent by entertaining local seniors in the nursing homes where they live and Diane Simon for sharing her artistic talent as a painter to benefit charity and inspiring others through her teaching
Health & Wellness: Mike Bardell, Sun City Center Emergency Squad’s Chief, for his commitment to keeping his team and his town safe and healthy through the COVID pandemic and Janet McCarthy for her lifelong career in home health nursing and her devotion to serving others through her missionary work
Philanthropy: William “Bill” Jarrett, for decades of personal commitment and investment in improving the health and wellness of his Highlands County community.