Central Florida Celebrates Older Adults

Eighteen local older adults were recognized at the inaugural Growing Bolder Awards Ceremony held December 8, 2016.  An estimated 250 people attended the held at Full Sail University in Winter Park.

This ceremony was designed to honor men and women from throughout Central Florida who are redefining what is possible as we age.  The many stories of how they are aging with grace, power and significance served as impressive reminders of what can be achieved with the gift of longevity, when it is enhanced with passion and purpose.

The Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) and Senior Resource Alliance were co-organizers of the event and were delighted when Growing Bolder embraced the idea.  Growing Bolder secured in-kind participation from Full Sail University, spearheaded the award nomination/selection/notification process, attracted community sponsors, and flawlessly choreographed and recorded the event.  Award recipients ran the gamut from a 102-year-old to the youngest at age 66.  More important than their ages were the awardees’ attitudes and selfless contributions to others in the community, often in spite of personal challenges.  While their stories are too numerous to describe here, you can learn more by accessing the following link: http://growingbolderawards.com/2016-central-florida-growing-bolder-awards/.

“This awards program far exceeded our expectations.  I have heard nothing but positive feedback from attendees who came away inspired, exhilarated, and already requesting it become an annual event to showcase the varied, vibrant contributions of older adults in our community.  We are grateful to the many sponsors who made this work possible and to the award winners for the examples they set for all of us,” said Diana Silvey, WPHF Program Director.

Maitland resident David Stanley, a recently retired high school principal, was moved by the experience.  “I had the privilege of attending the Growing Bolder Awards Celebration at Full Sail University earlier this month,” said Stanley. “I was truly touched by the tenacity, accomplishments, and joy the recipients embraced in their golden years.  Their energy has motivated me to work at being a better caregiver and husband in my golden years.”