[Archived] Commission on Aging to Present Excellence in Aging Awards

For Immediate Release
April 20, 2016

The Alexandria Commission on Aging cordially invites you to attend the presentation of the 2016 Excellence in Aging Awards.  The awards will be presented by Mayor Allison Silberberg on Tuesday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. in the Vola Lawson Lobby of City Hall at 301 King Street, followed by a reception in the same area. Five awardees will receive awards in four categories.

The Annie B. Rose Award recognizes an individual whose exemplary achievements span a lifetime of public service, and whose achievements have been devoted to significantly enhancing the community, especially to advancing social justice and aging concerns for all residents.  This year, there are two recipients of the award.

Vanessa Greene is honored for 22 years of service as the Director of the Senior Center @ Charles Houston, also known as the “Krunch Bunch.”  The Krunch Bunch has been composed of many community residents and leaders in the historically African American neighborhood of Parker-Gray. 

Gant Redmon is honored for his lifetime of volunteer service to Alexandria, especially to older adults.  He has been the Chair of the Board of the Goodwin House Foundation for 10 years, which has raised millions of dollars under his leadership to assure that no resident of Goodwin House ever has to leave the community for lack of funds, and also contributes matching funds to many local non-profit organizations that serve older adults.  

The Lois Van Valkenburgh Excellence in Aging Award recognizes an individual who has made outstanding contributions to elevating the quality of life for older adults in Alexandria within the past year.  

Wanda Dowell is honored for her service as an active volunteer with the Meals on Wheels program and the clothes closet at First Baptist Church.  She has been a volunteer instructor at twice-weekly programs for older adults at First Baptist, and a leader in numerous other senior activities at the church.  

The Excellence in Aging Award for an Organization recognizes an organization that has made outstanding contributions to elevating the quality of life of older Alexandrians.  

At Home in Alexandria (AHA) is honored as a grass roots, non-profit organization founded by and for individuals age 55 and over who live in Alexandria and want to remain in their own home, living independently in the community they love.  AHA provides significant volunteer services to its members, along with easy connections to professional services when needed.  The organization also sponsors numerous educational, cultural and social events. 

The Public Service Award recognizes a City of Alexandria employee who has advanced, improved or otherwise contributed to making Alexandria a more livable community for all ages during the course of their job.  

Robert Fulk is honored as the Paratransit Coordinator for the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services.  He deals daily with older riders as he arranges transportation for them through the City’s DOT Paratransit Program. He processes DOT applications quickly and does on-site inspections to investigate client safety concerns.  He is always responsive to client issues and treats each with respect.  

For more information about the program, or the Commission on Aging and its activities, please call 703.746.5694.  RSVP’s are not necessary for this program.

The City of Alexandria complies with the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Anyone with a disability who wishes to request an accommodation may contact the Division of Aging and Adult Services at 703.746.5999 or TTY at 703.836.1493.