Celebrating Seniors honors, aids older citizens

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James Flanagan, chairman of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition, addresses coalition volunteers Thursday morning at Belmont Villages on Madison. | Bill Dwyer~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 20, 2012 8:19AM

May is Older American’s Month, and the villages of Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park will soon proclaim the week of May 18-25 “Celebrating Seniors Week.”

Thursday morning 20 members of the Celebrating Seniors Coalition gathered at Belmont Villages, 1020 Madison St., to help the planning process for the 2012 Celebrating Seniors events.

The coalition, made up of professionals and residents from Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park, has identified key stakeholders in the villages that includes libraries, park districts, senior organizations, hospitals and senior living communities that significantly add value to the lives of seniors.

Jim Flanagan, chairman of the coalition, said last year’s process was educational and enlightening for him and many others.

“We got people talking about aging, about growing older and about how people think (about that),” he said. “We got people to think differently about those issues, and how important the people that come before us are.”

Last year 30 businesses also offered special promotions centered around seniors.

Flanagan said Celebrating Seniors has four main goals: To assist seniors with emergency needs; to facilitate the cooperation of business, community, government agencies and not-for-profits for the benefit of our senior population; to promote senior groups and organizations that serve the population of 60 and older; and to raise awareness on issues affecting seniors.

Beyond strengthening service organizations and helping those who need it, Flanagan said Celebrating Seniors is about “respecting and revering seniors and all of the knowledge they bring to the table.”

River Forest Library Director Sophia Anastos, a coalition member, calls herself a “junior senior.”

“Ours is a society in which youth is treasured in a way that’s out of proportion,” said Anastos. “I’m Greek and I was raised in a family where my grandparents always made a contribution in terms of what they’d learned and what they’d been.”

Pat Porter,, of Belmont Villages, said her facility “has some of the most brilliant, interesting residents.” She said the goal is for people to celebrate who they are, whatever their age.

“You’re never too old or too sick to do that.”

Oak Park Village Clerk Teresa Powell noted one of her responsibilities is helping recruit people for service on village advisory boards and commissions. She said seniors are among the most valuable in that regard.

“There’s a great wealth of talent out there among people who are no longer working,” Powell said.

The 2011 Celebrating Seniors effort raised more than $15,000, after expenses. That money has been used for everything from helping people with flooded homes to assisting a couple in their 80s who had been victims of ID theft.

“Our goal was to help people and try to take some of the stress and worry away,” Flanagan said.

One of the planned events being finalized is the “Walk, Roll and Run” race at Longfellow Park.

There will also be a luncheon hosted by a radio or television personality, and a symposium at other Dominican or Concordia University.

“All different levels and ages can participate,” said Flanagan.

There will also be a repeat of the “60 over 60” program which spotlighted the contributions of 60 people age 60 or older.

“It doesn’t have to be a person that has gotten all kinds of awards,” Flanagan said. “We’re looking for people who are unsung heroes; the people who do the simple things that are necessary to maintain our quality of life.”

People can submit nominations until Feb. 3 by mailing them to Oak Park Arms senior community director Jill Wagner. She can be reached at 410 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park, IL 60302, or email to jill@oakparkarms.com, with “60 over 60 nominations in the subject line.

Besides identifying a nominee, submitters are asked to provide reasons for their nomination in 300 words or less. Any nominee selected for consideration will be contacted by the selection committee for a brief interview.