CLEVELAND – The City of Cleveland honored local seniors at the 23rd annual Senior Day.
Today, 19 seniors were named Volunteer of the Year, nominated by council members of the 19 wards of the city.
“I want to first of all, congratulating all the seniors of the year and thank you for what you’ve done,” said Mayor Frank G. Jackson. “What we are and who we are as a city is based on what you have contributed to the City of Cleveland. And I know we would not be the city we are today and have all the opportunities that we have in front of us today if it were not for your commitment, for your sacrifice over the years. “
Fox 8 Call for Action volunteer Calvin Johnson was among the honorees. He’s been volunteering in the community since the 1970’s. He first started working as an LPN at Mt. Sinai Hospital and the Tremont Care Center, volunteering as much as he could.
“Sometimes I’ll volunteer from 8 in the morning until 7 in the evening. Whenever they’ll want me, I’m there,” Johnson said. “I really volunteered all my life. I love to help people have a quality of life.”
Johnson, 74, said he has no plans to stop contributing to the causes he loves most, including the Greater Cleveland Volunteers, the North Coast Men’s Choir, the annual Cleveland Pride event and the Cleveland Asian Festival. He still maintains his license as a Practical Nurse and serves as the coordinator for the LPM Community Resource Council.
“The only thing is I’m just surprised,” Johnson said. “I didn’t know anybody paid me any attention. So that’s what excites me about it is somebody is watching, and I thank them all for taking the time to honor me for today.”
The honorees include Rose Lee Simmons from Ward 1; Johnny Mathis from Ward 2; George Hrbek from Ward 3, David Bailey from Ward 4; Arlene Greenlee from Ward 5; Hattie Mathews from Ward 6; Carrie Bell from Ward 7; Rose Reynolds from Ward 8; Kathleen Siska from Ward 9; Ruby Abrons from Ward 10; Frances Hunter from Ward 11; Betty Rodes from Ward 12; Joseph Patrick Cannon from Ward 13; Kate Dupuis from Ward 14; Irene Hitsman from Ward 15; Calvin Johnson from Ward 16; Catherine “Peg” Arcuri from Ward 17; Caroline Paull from Ward 18; and the late George Faulkner from Ward 19.
The Senior Day event is hosted by the Cleveland Department of Aging.
For more information about services for seniors in the community, go to http://www.city.cleveland.oh.us/CityofCleveland/Home/Government/CityAgencies/Aging