Sound Generations Inspire Positive Aging Award nominees honored

Volunteer crew from Bargain Corner Thrift Shop
Outstanding Team

Text and photos by Jon Ann Cruver

Sound Generations (formerly Senior Services) is changing the conversation about aging by celebrating older adults who enrich their communities, challenge stereotypes about aging and serve as valuable sources of wisdom and experience.

The Inspire Positive Aging Awards (IPAA) Luncheon, held on April 20, recognized the 56 nominated inspiring elders at the Bellevue Hilton, seven of whom were given individual recognition. Among the nominees were a number of inspiring elders from Shoreline.

The nominees represent what is best about the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center, as well as our community.

Gloria Kawabori, left with daughter Mariko Langdon
Advocacy and Activism

 

Gloria Kawabori was nominated for Advocacy and Activism. She inspires other through her upbeat attitude, sense of humor, and capacity to encourage and appreciate others. On many occasions throughout her life she has shared her story of her family’s experience in a Japanese incarceration camp. She is very active in the Senior Center’s Kupuna Hula Group.

Jeanne Hayden
Lifelong Learning Award

Jeanne Hayden was nominated for the Lifelong Learning Award. Her kind and generous heart and her skills as a quilter have benefitted many in her 94 years. She is a member of the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center ThimbleBelles Quilt Group where she shares her quilting expertise with all members, new and experienced. Over the years she has made roughly 1,000 little quilts to be donated to Childrens’ Hospital for babies and toddlers.

The Bargain Corner Thrift Shop Volunteers were nominated for the Outstanding Team Award. This group of volunteers takes immense pride in their contributions to the Senior Center. Due to their hard work and dedication, the shop is one of the center’s bigger fundraisers. Each volunteer contributes at least 4 hours a week and many help during special events. There is always a cheerful and positive attitude among the group. They have a zest for life, a passion for staying active and a willingness to share their wisdom.

Dwight Stevens
Defining Inspiration

Dwight Stevens was nominated for the Defining Inspiration Award. Dwight’s influences can be found all over the Shoreline Community. His strong sense of commitment to giving has resulted in many accomplishments in his 92 years which has made him known as “the personification of the Energizer Bunny”. He is involved in many organizations including the American Legion. He co-founded the Echo Lake Neighborhood Association and the Shoreline Veteran’s Association. Through his vision, he helped create and see built, the Shoreline Veterans Plaza. His enthusiasm and energy in the development of this project was contagious and the site was successfully dedicated in 2016. His nominator said, “Dwight totally explodes the image of an old person. His positive attitude and energy are admired by all.”