The Foundation honors outstanding individuals and groups who make a difference in Williamsburg and surrounding counties
2007 Healthcare Heroes Award
Since 1999, the Foundation has honored individuals in the greater Williamsburg area who are committed to addressing complex health issues and finding solutions that make a difference in the lives of community residents. In 2007, the Health Foundation highlighted employees and volunteers who have gone the extra mile to enhance the quality of life for our growing senior population. A $10,000 grant was awarded to each agency that the Hero represents.
William S. Massey received the Vernon M. Geddy, Jr. Healthcare Hero award for outstanding LEADERSHIP. As CEO of Peninsula Agency on Aging for the last 23 years, Massey has advocated passionately for seniors at national, state and local levels and has taken on numerous leadership roles in the area of senior services & senior health in the region.
Selected for the Dr. Baxter Bell, Sr. outstanding EMPLOYEE award, Evangeline “Van” Smith became the Medical Escort Service (now called “RIDES”) Coordinator for the Historic Triangle Senior Center when the program was implemented in 1998. Van has been the primary driver for the program and has offered the senior clients “not just a taxi ride”, but companionship, compassion and dignity.
The 160 volunteers for Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels (MOW) received the Dr. Blaine Blayton outstanding VOLUNTEER award. Frank Bagli, Board Chair for Meals on Wheels, accepted the award on behalf of all of the volunteers. Since 1974, the Williamsburg Area Meals on Wheels has delivered hot, nutritious noon-time meals to area residents who are unable to prepare their own meals in Williamsburg, James City County and Upper York County. In 2006 alone, these volunteers traveled over 68,000 miles in their own cars to deliver over 26,000 meals to more than 100 clients each week.
The Williamsburg Arthritis Project, a project of the Arthritis Foundation, Virginia Chapter, was selected for the Reverend Thomas Pugh outstanding community health PROGRAM award. Laura Lawrence, Coordinator of the Williamsburg Arthritis Project from 2002-2007, accepted the award on behalf of the Arthritis Foundation. Since 2002, this project has successfully introduced numerous proven national Arthritis Foundation programs to over 1200 residents in the community addressing the effects of this chronic disease and accomplishing its goal “to help people help themselves”.
Visit our Heroes Emeritus as well.
Last Updated: Friday, January 11, 2008