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County celebrates age-friendly champions


Age-Friendly Award Recipients 2024
​Left to Right – 2024 Simcoe County Age-Friendly Recognition Award recipients Christina Privado, Sandyc​ove Drug Store; Nancy Esson, Right at Home Canada – Georgian Triangle; Sara Finlay, Hearing ​Life Canada – Bradford; Jenna Wickens; Lisa Kutlesa, Seniors at Play – Orillia; Sandra Forth; David Wetherald; and Patty McLaughlin. Not pictured – Focus Employment Services and Hunt Family Movers.​

Midhurst/February 1, 2024 – The County of Simcoe celebrated the contributions of businesses and individuals who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to creating age-friendly communities during the inaugural County of Simcoe Age-Friendly Recognition Awards ceremony, held January 31 at the Simcoe County Museum. 

Honourees were selected in two categories, businesses, and individuals, with Businesses recognized for the progress they’ve made to improve services for seniors within Simcoe County, while individuals were honoured for their efforts in creating age-friendly communities and enriching the lives of seniors in their communities. The public nomination process ran throughout the summer, with honourees selected by the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee.

Honourees included Patty McLaughlin (Innisfil), Sandra Forth (Severn), Dave Wetherald (Barrie) and Jenna Wickens (Barrie), Sandycove Drug Store (Innisfil), Seniors at Play (Orillia), Right at Home Canada (Collingwood), Hunt Family Movers (Innisfil), Hearing Life (Bradford West Gwillimbury), and Focus Employment Services (New Tecumseth).

Congratulations to the community leaders honoured during the County’s inaugural Age-Friendly Recognition Ceremony. Their efforts and accomplishments are helping Simcoe County build up this growing and evolving region so that it remains a safe, supporting, and desirable place to call home at any stage of life.

Basil Clarke, Warden, County of Simcoe

The County of Simcoe is committed to building an age-friendly region that enables older adults to remain in their homes and communities for as long as they choose, with access to supports that help them stay healthy, active, and connected to others. The businesses and individuals celebrated understand this and are making an impact on transforming their communities for the benefit of people of all ages.

Jane Sinclair, General Manger, Health and Emergency Services​

About the Simcoe County Age-Friendly Community Program
The Age-Friendly Community Program was established in 2016 to increase awareness of the County’s aging population and help businesses and organizations evaluate their environment and service delivery. The County continues to provide resources and assessment tools to help organizations implement age-friendly goals and strategies and adapt to our aging population. For more information on our Age-Friendly Community program visit www.simcoe.ca/agefriendly, email agefriendly@simcoe.ca or call 705-726-9300 ext. 3127.

About County of Simcoe
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.­­­­­­

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