JACKSONVILLE – ElderSource, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center for Northeast Florida, honored Clay County’s Aging True as one of its 2021 Luminary Award winners during the organization’s annual A Night with the Stars. The event, presented by Florida Blue Medicare, celebrated organizations that worked alongside ElderSource during the pandemic to support the critical needs of seniors and caregivers. The highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2021 Delores Barr Weaver Elder Advocate Award given to Secretary of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Richard Prudom for his work to support seniors and caregivers during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as other efforts he led last year to support seniors and their caregivers in communities around the state.

“As the primary organization supporting older adults in Northeast Florida, ElderSource partners with agencies such as Aging True to ensure that seniors and their caregivers can access vital services that help them remain in their homes and live independently,” said Linda Levin, CEO of ElderSource.

Supported by millions of dollars of funding from ElderSource, Aging True was able to make a tremendous impact on the Clay County community during the pandemic. Mental wellness programs were expanded specifically in Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Nassau and Baker counties with more than 6,000 hours of services being provided to 218 participants using their new telehealth platform. Aging True partnered with several restaurants and chains to deliver more than 38,000 meals, using the manpower of more than 400 Aging True volunteers to make the food deliveries to seniors. Proceeds from A Night with the Stars supported ElderSource’s Senior to Senior Fund that helps older adults experiencing unexpected financial crises. To donate to the Senior to Senior fund during the holiday season, visit MyElderSource.org.

Generous funding for the event was also given by the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund through the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, AARP, United Healthcare, Florida Power and Light, First Citizens Bank, Taylor Residences, Baptist Health, The Bailey Group, Sunshine Health, Florida Community Care, Mutual of America Financial Group, JEA and Fran Pepis Enterprise.