May is Older Americans Month. The Rowan Council on Aging is sponsoring its ninth annual Service to Seniors Awards program. The purpose is to recognize, encourage and support volunteers of all ages who provide services to older adult citizens of Rowan County.

If you know an individual of any age or a group or an organization which volunteers in service to older adults in the community, we invite you to nominate that person, organization or group for the award. Service should be to an older adult or older adults, who are not family members of the nominee.

Nomination forms may be picked up at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center or downloaded from the Rufty-Holmes Senior Center site, www.ruftyholmes.org.  Deadline for submission is April 8.

An awards committee appointed by the Council on Aging will receive, evaluate and select winners. These winners will be recognized at the Awards Luncheon, scheduled for Friday, May 13, at Rufty-Holmes.

Also recognized at the awards luncheon will be businesses that, at their own request, have been evaluated and have met criteria to determine that they are “Senior Friendly Businesses.” Local businesses interested in this certification may contact the Council on Aging through Rufty-Holmes.

The Rowan Council on Aging was reorganized in January 2007 for the purpose of educating and informing individuals and the community about public issues affecting older adults; to develop strategies for improving conditions for older adults in Rowan County; to advocate for older adult needs and public policies which address these needs; and to promote a “senior friendly community.”