Wednesday, April 1, 2009

PSS Panther Cubs Honor One Of Their Own At University Club

Last evening, thanks to an invitation from John Mosser, the Clerk of session at North Church Queens (where I serve as Designated Pastor) and a member of the Presbyterian Senior Services Board of Directors, I attended a reception at the University Club, One West 54th Street, New York, New York .

The occasion for open bar and hors d’oeuvre reception was the Fourteenth Annual presentation of the Maggie Kuhn Award, an award which recognizes distinguished honorees for their outstanding commitment to the elderly and social justice. This year's recipient of the Maggie Kuhn Award was William J. Dionne (pictured right), Executive Director of the Carter Burden Center for the Aging and President of the Board of the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City.

After hobnobbing for awhile with Minister and Elder colleagues and being introduced to a few members of the PSS Board and others in attendance, I observed one of the most spirited, entertaining, funny and brief award presentations I have ever witnessed. From my experience these sorts of things tend to be dry, boring and take far too long. Last evening’s Welcome, Greetings, Remembrances and Introductions were a joy to observe.

As I reflect on the evening, I think Maggie, founder of the Gray Panthers, would have been proud and happy of how her cubs were not only honoring her and her work but the importance of advocating for and providing services to the elderly.

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