Two older adults were honored on Seniors' Day, Aug. 31, at the Michigan State Fair in Highland Park. They received the 2009 Senior Citizen of the Year Awards for their generosity and community service.

They were recognized by the Michigan Commission and Office of Services to the Aging (OSA), the Michigan State Fair and Consumers Energy for their unpaid contributions in two categories, Leadership and Community Service.

"We are pleased to present these awards each year to honor exemplary older adults who have made a difference," says OSA Director, Sharon L. Gire. "They deserve to be honored for their dedication and selfless service on behalf of others during their retirement years."

Senior Citizen of the Year Awards recognize leadership in the community and service to others. They highlight the contributions made by persons age 60 and older to civic and social life.

Dennis K. Griffin from Waterford received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award for Leadership. He has benefited many individuals from disabled children to older adults by assuming leadership positions in a number of community organizations. These include the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency (OLHSA) Board of Directors, the OLHSA Senior Citizen Advisory Council, the Waterford Senior Center Advisory Board, the Waterford Cultural Council, Waterford Parks and Recreation, the UAW Local 889 Retiree Chapter in Warren.

Members of these organizations believe he is the type of volunteer that all nonprofit and civic organizations would like to have. They say he has been an invaluable resource, and his generosity and kindness is very much appreciated. They state he is genuine, compassionate, and caring, and selflessly devotes his time, talents and financial resources to assist others. They also notice he goes the extra mile to help those in need with his energetic and positive attitude.

Art Nichols from Kalamazoo received the Senior Citizen of the Year Award for Service. As an active RSVP volunteer, he serves as a certified MMAP counselor to help older adults find answers to their questions about Medicare and Medicaid. He conducts community presentations to provide information about eligibility requirements for health insurance. He serves as an In Home Support Volunteer to visit frail and homebound individuals, and assist them with transportation, shopping assistance, and paying their bills. He also educates older adults about available community resources, and inspires them to volunteer. In addition, many children have been assisted through his involvement with the Shriners.

He is a retired engineer who puts his problem solving skills to work helping others. RSVP staff members say his compassionate demeanor enables him to assist older adults who are overwhelmed with complicated insurance forms, or distraught at having lost a spouse. They also say he demonstrates exceptional people skills and patience, and has a big smile, a big heart, and a caring and compassionate nature that attracts others to follow in his footsteps.