Larimer County Office on Aging held its annual volunteer awards ceremony during the Older Americans Month in May. Larimer County Commissioners Jody Shadduck-McNally and John Kefalas along with other county dignitaries and over 50 visitors attended the annual ceremony.
Larimer County Senior Volunteer 2022 Awards
Cyndy Luzinski, owner of Dementia Together (pictured far left), presented the Outstanding Senior Volunteer of the year award to Phil Leathery (holding award). After a career in law enforcement and years of serving as a volunteer softball coach, Phil volunteered as a tour guide on the Fort Collins Trolley Birney car. After receiving a diagnosis of dementia, he was determined to continue living well and giving back to his community. Phil has served on the Dementia Together Advisory Committee and presented dementia training to law enforcement employees. During COVID, he started an outdoor walking club for other seniors living with dementia and their care partners. Phil lives by what he believes, which is to do all he can, to help anyone he can, for as long as he can.
Andrea Scandrett with Dementia Together (pictured far right) presented the Outstanding Family Caregiver award to Janet Kreiker (holding award). Janet is the loving caregiver of her husband of 20 years, Phil, who has dementia. Besides providing caregiving to her husband, Janet facilitates a virtual Caregivers support group once a month, primarily to seek and share advice with others. She is admired for her willingness to help others, her drive to continue to learn how to best care for a loved one with dementia, and, mostly, help her beloved husband live his best life. Congratulations to Phil and Janet for their volunteer awards!