Each year, Senior Services presents the Everett N. Luce Award to an individual and an organization for their leadership and contributions toward improving the quality of life for older adults in Midland County. This year’s award recipients were announced during Senior Services’ Annual Meeting on Thursday, November 4, 2021. Trudy Laufer received the Individual Community Champion Award and the Midland County Department of Public Health received the Organization Community Champion Award.
Trudy Laufer, Executive Director of Cleveland Manor Apartments receiving the Everett N. Luce Community Champion Award from Charlie Schwedler, Senior Services Executive Director.
Senior Services received the nomination of Trudy Laufer from community member, Tami Perry, who recognized Trudy for her passion for helping seniors in our community. Trudy has demonstrated a commitment to improving the lives of seniors in her role as Executive Director of Cleveland Manor Apartments for over 17 years, going above and beyond to help seniors obtain housing in Midland. During the historic dam failure and flooding event of 2020, Trudy packed up and drove out of her way in the middle of the night to make sure that she was at Cleveland Manor in case of an evacuation of residents and to ensure their safety. These are just a few of the reasons that Trudy has been chosen to receive this award. Her passion and dedication are undeniable.
Midland County Department of Health, from left: Dr. Catherine Bodnar; Fred Yanoski; Charlie Schwedler, Senior Services Executive Director; Nicole Swanton and Beverly Pyles receiving the Everett N. Luce Community Champion Award.
Tina Podboy Laughner, volunteer and outreach manager for Senior Services, nominated the Midland County Department of Public Health for their leadership in organizing vaccine clinics for older adults in our community. In partnership with Senior Services, Delta College and Midland Center for the Arts, they were able to vaccinate thousands. Midland County can be proud to say that over 90% of adults aged 65+ are vaccinated against COVID-19 and much of that success can be attributed to their dedication and hard work. Their incredible staff has provided our community with the most up-to-date scientific research, facts, and valuable information as quickly as it has become available under the ever-changing circumstances of this pandemic. Most importantly, they have instilled hope during a very trying time in this community.
Each award recipient has demonstrated outstanding leadership and advocacy toward improving community conditions or services provided to older Midland County residents and we are proud to recognize their achievements.
