By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Honoring outstanding senior citizens in their communities, the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging held its annual awards ceremony Thursday afternoon in Ontario.
Recipients from Ashland, Crawford, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca, and Wyandot counties were on hand to be recognized for their contributions to the senior community in North Central Ohio.
District 5 Area Agency on Aging CEO Duana Patton explained that the event is held to recognize senior citizens who make an impact on their community.
“We think that engagement in the community and being busy after retirement is so important to somebody’s health and just their well-being in general,” Patton said. “So today we want to recognize that. We want to applaud the things that they have done for us and their communities.”
Patton explained how the recipients are nominated.
“They have been nominated by local individuals, not necessarily buy us, but maybe a county commissioner, a senior center, a family, or friend somebody who has recognized their contributions that have been impactful in that community,” Patton said.
Crawford County honoree, Dr. Donald Wenner, currently serves on the Crawford County Council on Aging Board, the Crawford County Chapter of OGS, and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Council, as well as recruits people to serve on charitable boards, and along with his daughter Becky, volunteers each Friday delivering meals to homebound Bucyrus residents.
Dr. Wenner was thankful for the honor and to represent Crawford County.
“I am very grateful for the awards,” Dr. Wenner said. “I’m not sure I was fully qualified to get them.”
When he isn’t volunteering his time Dr. Wenner can be found riding his bicycle almost daily and weather permitting still hits the links for a round of golf.
In part for being recognized for his contributions to the community, Dr. Wenner is also the subject of a mayoral proclamation making today “Dr. Donald Wenner Day” in Bucyrus.
Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging 2015 Outstanding Senior Citizens:
Ferne D. Snook – Ashland County
Dr. Donald Wenner – Crawford County
Darryl and Kail Young – Huron County
Marsha Mosser – Knox County
Dorothy Boswell – Marion County
Mary Lou Haycock – Richland County
Shar Troxell – Seneca County
Charlie Steward – Wyandot County