Celebrating and Recognizing Senior Adults in Clay County

Senior Adults are important to our community! They are a generation that exemplifies values, integrity, commitment, generosity and a strong work ethic. They give their time and talents in many areas of service to our community.

The community is asked to nominate individuals for the Golden Years Gala Service Awards in the following areas:

• Volunteer Woman of the Year
• Volunteer Man of the Year
• Ernie Cohen Lifetime Achievement

Business and personal sponsorships underwrite this yearly event, and they also benefit The Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park in continuing to provide services to improve the quality of life of senior adults through our award-winning educational programming and events.

Since our nonprofit  – serving hundreds of seniors annually – does not receive government funding, your partnership greatly assists this organization, as the cost and demand for senior services continue to increase.

We also would like to thank the dozens of hard-working volunteers that help make this annual event a success. SCOOP couldn’t do it without you!

The sixteenth annual Golden Years Gala will recognize senior adults for outstanding volunteer service in Clay County. What a wonderful way to say “Thank You!” by nominating someone you know for their extraordinary efforts. The 2023 categories are as follows: Volunteer Senior Man of the Year, Volunteer Senior Woman of the Year and Ernie Cohen Lifetime Achievement Award. Senior adults are important to the community. They are a generation of high values, strong work ethic, commitment, integrity, generosity and loyalty. Seniors are a wonderful example to all, showing that true fulfillment is to share their time and talents through serving. Nominee must be 60 years of age and volunteer in Clay County. Deadline is January 31, 2023. Click here to view the nomination form.

2022 Winners

Woman of the Year:
Kathy Wray
Ernie Cohen Life Time Achievement Award:
Pat Fernandez
Man of the Year:
Robert Simpson

16th Annual Golden Years Gala • May 10, 2023 • 8:30am • Sullivan Hall

2023 Sponsorship Opportunities

Personal and corporate/business sponsorships underwrite this event and also benefit The Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park in continuing to provide services to improve the quality of life of senior adults through award-winning educational programming and events.

Since our non-profit that serves hundreds of seniors annually does not receive government funding, your partnership greatly assists this organization as the cost and demand for senior services continue to increase.

Sponsorship opportunities are available from $250-5,000. Please click here for a copy of our sponsorship form. Contact us with questions, and thanks for contributing to the quality of life for our local seniors!

2023 Platinum Sponsor


2023 Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

George and Chris Bass

Community Hospice and Palliative Care

Joe and Peggy Grantham

Haven Hospice

SilverLink Consulting (L is capitalized)

Chuck and Julie Smithers

George and Suzanne Tower

Kathy and Mike Vallencourt

Bronze Sponsors

Bullwinkle’s Trailer Repair

By Your Side Senior Care

Andrea Crowder

Connie and David Eden

Home Instead

Ron and Scotty Hood

Ken and Ruth Johansen

Mike Jorgensen, Senior Counsel

Carol Klein

Dave and Chris Neal

Oasis Senior Health

Chester and Mary Ann Witczak

Nominees

Woman of the Year

Doborah Cannarella

Robyn Hockenberry

Teri Hourihane

Jennifer Kearns

Lorraine Lyons

Robin McKenzie

Victoria Parker

Susan Smalling

Runa Tebler

Carolyn Warren

Man of the Year

William Hockenberry

Larry Hollingsworth

Mike Hourihane

Leland & Wyatt Taylor

Gary R. Wade

Ernie Cohen Life Time Achievement

Chris Baker

Norma Layton

Catherine “Cathie” Parrott

Millie Wilkes

Dolores Perry Williams

Thank you!

Our very heartfelt and appreciative thank you to the 2023 Gala Committee Members for making this year’s Gala a success. Susan Stobe, Chairman, Suzanne Tower, Katy Kearson, Connie Eden, Lori Donalty, Andrea Crowder, Esther Lee, Scotty Hood, Ruth Johansen, David Kleinik, Carol Klein, and Al Benson