The following awards are usually given out during the annual NC Conference on Aging. Each of the awards has its own nomination and decision process, determined by the sponsoring agency.
The N.C. Division of Aging and Adult Services presents three awards annually to recognize individuals, organizations, programs and communities that have made significant contributions in support of the Division’s efforts to enhance resources, services, and opportunities for our state’s older citizens. These awards are:
Ewald W. Busse Award recognizes an individual or organization that has had a
significant impact on enhancing the health status of older North Carolinians.
George L. Maddox Award recognizes an individual or organization in the state that
has excelled in creative programming for older adults.
Ernest B. Messer Award recognizes a community in the state that has excelled in
addressing the needs of its older citizens.
Older Worker Awards
Working with the NC Employment Security Commission, the NC Division of Workforce Development, AARP-NC, the Institute on Aging’s Interest Group on the Aging Workforce, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program’s
national and state sponsors—the NC Division of Aging and Adult Services has established three awards to honor North Carolina’s older workforce:
Mark M. Sabula Award recognizes the contributions of Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) participants for their dedicated efforts to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the workplace.
Ann B. Johnson Award recognizes the contributions of older workers for their special qualities and work ethic in the workplace.
Victor W. Marshall Award recognizes an employer in the state that has excelled in valuing the vital role of older persons in the workforce.
The Margaret Hart Hardee Preeminence in Aging Award
In June 1996, the North Carolina Association of Area Agencies on Aging created the Margaret Hart Hardee Preeminence in Aging Award. The purpose of this award is
to pay tribute to a gifted and highly successful grassroots advocate whose knowledgeable participation in the public policy debate in North Carolina has brought about myriad opportunities and support to older adults. The award is named for the late Margaret Hart Hardee, a native of Harnett County, who for more than twenty years
was a tenacious advocate for older adults in North Carolina. The award was created as a living eulogy in praise of Hardee’s leadership and commitment to the importance of
genuine grassroots guidance in the making of public policy. The confidence and respect she had for Area Agencies on Aging and their indebtedness to her prompted the founding of this award. At the time of her death on June 19, 1995, Ms. Hardee was Deputy Director of the North Carolina Division of Aging. Prior to this appointment, she was the Director of the Mid-Carolina Area Agency on Aging.
Created in 2002, the AARP Andrus Award for Community Service is AARP’s highest award and recognizes members and volunteers who through volunteer service are enhancing people’s lives in the areas of health and wellness, economic security and
work, and life transitions. Recipients are chosen for their ability to improve the community in which or for which the work was performed and positively affect other volunteers or inspire others to volunteer.
North Carolina Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force Public and Private Sector Awards
Beginning in 1999, the North Carolina Consumer Fraud Task Force initiated two awards to recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions
in combating consumer fraud in some combination of the following areas: awareness, enforcement, public relations and legislation. There is one award for public (federal/state/county and or local government) and one for private and/or non-profit.
Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program Statewide Awards
The Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is a Division of the North Carolina Department of Insurance that was created in 1986 in direct response to the growing concerns about health insurance for the people with Medicare in North Carolina. SHIIP coordinates its efforts to assist people with Medicare through an existing human service agency such as the Council on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging,
Senior Centers or Cooperative Extension offices in all one hundred counties. SHIIP annually recognizes its coordinators and volunteers for their tremendous efforts throughout the year. Statewide award winners are also selected who have gone above and beyond to assist Medicare beneficiaries. Additionally, the Jim Long Outstanding SHIIP Service Award was created in 2008 to honor the late Commissioner Jim Long
for his dedication to the development and ongoing support of SHIIP by recognizing the work of other individuals who advocate on behalf of SHIIP.
