The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has recognized LeadingAge Florida members for their heroic efforts to care for Florida seniors in the days following Hurricane Irma, which hit Florida in September 2017. LeadingAge Florida received a Silver Power of (A)* Award for “Project Lifeline: Caring for Seniors in the Aftermath of Irma.”
The project chronicles nine LeadingAge Florida members that delivered food, water and other supplies to communities of seniors impacted by the hurricane.
“Many times during the past year, I have been asked how our members dealt with Hurricane Irma and its aftermath,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. “There are a number of ways to answer that question, but the word that always jumps to the front of my mind is ‘character.’ ”
“This award isn’t ours. It’s our members’,” he said. “It’s a national testimonial to the values of our Association, and to the power and depth of our members’ mission to care for older adults.”
From providing food, water and ice, in some cases diverting their own resources to help others, to filling vans and buses with various supplies and delivering them to troubled communities, LeadingAge Florida members quickly helped however they could, regardless of the provider community in need or its location.
In a letter to LeadingAge Florida, ASAE President and CEO John H. Graham IV, said “Congratulations to LeadingAge Florida on being named a 2018 Power of (A)* Silver Award winner. … We are proud of your accomplishments and appreciate how well you represent the association community.”
ASAE’s Power of (A)* (Association) Awards—the organization’s highest honor—recognized the association community’s valuable contributions on local, national and global levels, by honoring and shining a spotlight their outstanding accomplishments throughout the world.
At its 55th Annual Convention & Exposition, LeadingAge Florida debuted a video about the project, providing first-hand accounts from the communities that worked to keep their residents safe while helping other communities do the same.
Established in 1963 as a Florida not-for-profit corporation, LeadingAge Florida is committed to assisting its members in achieving excellence as providers, businesses and employers. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers.
