May is Older Americans Month and the 50th anniversary of the Older Americans Act. Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille welcomed the standing room only crowd, "the most people I've ever seen at this event," to the 2015 Excellence in Aging Awards at City Hall on May 12. The group included Alexandria City Council Members, state Sen. Adam Ebbins, newly appointed City Manager Mark Jinks, Virginia Deputy Commissioner for Aging Services Robert Brink, Chair of the Commission on Aging Bob Eiffert and friends and family.
Euille shared his personal memories of Annie B. Ross, the namesake for the Lifetime Achievement Award received by Jane King.
Brink pointed out what he's personally seen in his new position as he has travelled the state observing firsthand the difference in income, unemployment and density between NOVA (the four Northern Virginia counties) and ROVA (Rest of Virginia), the four poor counties on the southwest border.
Other awards were the Lois Van Valkenburgh Excellence in Aging Award for an Individual received by Mitch Opalski; the Excellence in Aging Award for an Organization awarded to Senior Services of Alexandria and accepted by David Baker, chair of the board; and the Public Service Award to Terah Chamberlin, accepted by Debbie Ludington.