Annual Senior Inspiration Awards April 16 at Westin Mission Hills
Piano virtuoso and award-winning recording artist Buddy Greco and his wife, singer Lezlie Anders, are the celebrity honorees and will perform at the 17th Annual Senior Inspiration Awards luncheon on Thursday, April 16.
Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson annually presents the ceremony, inaugurated by his predecessor Corky Larson, to honor the desert’s outstanding senior citizens. CBSTV2 News Anchors Patrick Evans and Andee Laskoe will serve as Event Masters of Ceremonies for the event at the Westin Mission Hills from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
The annual luncheon pays tribute to an inspiring, productive, and active senior citizen from each of the Coachella Valley’s nine cities. These award recipients have each demonstrated a zest for physical and mental well being through volunteerism and being actively engaged in their communities. Each of the eleven honorees has been nominated by their respective city for his or her extraordinary contributions. The honorees for the 2009 Senior Inspiration Awards are as follows:
Mr. Cy Breen Cathedral City
Ms. Raquel Medina City of Coachella
Ms. Maureen Williams City of Desert Hot Springs
Ms. Elizabeth Luce City of Indian Wells
Mr. Arthur Preciado City of Indio
Ms. Mildred Donley City of La Quinta
Mr. Lee Simmons City of Palm Desert
Mr. Hal Ball City of Palm Springs
Mr. Marcus & Ms. Dolores Lewis City of Rancho Mirage
Mrs. Vera Ballen Riverside County
Mr. Norm Cady Riverside County
“Each of these ‘seasoned citizens’ exemplify the valuable contributions active adults can make regardless of age, and they serve as inspiring role models for us all,” said Supervisor Roy Wilson.
The Senior Inspiration Awards were established by former Supervisor Corky Larson in 1992 to recognize senior citizens over the age of 70 who are role models for all ages because of their active lifestyle and healthy aging. The event has become an annual tradition that has been carried on by Supervisor Roy Wilson under whose efforts the event has continued to grow. The luncheon is attended by approximately 500 people each year including local city representatives, government officials, State and U.S. elected officials, celebrities, Valley seniors and community leaders.
Sponsors for the 2009 Senior Inspiration Awards include The Desert Sun, Canyon National Bank, Granite Construction, Burrtec, Best Best & Kreiger, Forest Lawn, each of the nine Coachella Valley cities and the County of Riverside. Media sponsor is El Informador Newspaper.
Tickets are $25 per person. Make checks payable to: DSFE/Senior Inspiration Awards. Mail to: Lynda Gregory, c/o Riverside County Supervisor Roy Wilson, 73-710 Fred Waring Drive, Suite 222 Palm Desert, CA 92260. For further information contact Lynda Gregory in Supervisor Roy Wilson’s office, 863-2556.