
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