ST. LOUIS, Sept. 24, 2012… When the Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans concept was born in 2003, few would’ve guessed that a decade later, the gala event would have raised over $1.6 million to help meet the needs of the older adult population in the St. Louis area, while playing a critical role in changing the face of aging in our region. Over the past 10 years, a total of 240 older adults have been recognized for their incredible contributions well past the traditional age of retirement. And as the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System prepares to host its 10th annual Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans gala, it’s unveiling another amazing class of active and engaged older adults who are using their “golden years” to travel, continue careers and embark on new ones, and lend their time and talents to their favorite charities.
This year’s class of Ageless honorees includes two-term Missouri Senator Betty Sims, who remains committed to improving the health, economic and social well-being of women and children in the state; the first African-American female manager of the U.S. Postal Service in St. Louis, Delores Betts-Mars, who now serves as a supporter, mentor and current board treasurer of Mathews-Dickey Boys and Girls Club; Dr. Norm Freiberger, a retired dentist who, after 40 years in private practice, founded the SSM St. Joseph Senior Dental Clinic in St. Charles, and Bob Hermann, the founder of Hermann Companies, and a well-known fundraiser who’s efforts have generated funding for a variety of large-scale projects, including the Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the River’s Edge exhibit at the St. Louis Zoo.
These incredible individuals are among a group of 22 older adults that will be recognized at the 10th annual Ageless – Remarkable Saint Louisans gala. St. Louis-based Wells Fargo Advisors will once again serve as Presenting Sponsor for the special event, which will be held Sunday, Nov. 11, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. The complete list of extraordinary seniors age 75+ who will be recognized at this year’s event includes:
- William Ball
- Carolyn Beimdiek
- C. Robert (Bob) Bess
- Delores Betts-Mars
- Mary Bruemmer
- Dorothy Jane Mahaffey Carpenter Moore
- Alice Creamer
- Bill Creamer
- Herman E. Davis
- Augusta (Gussie) Feehan
- Dr. Norm Freiberger, DDS
- Juanita Hartwig
- Bob and Mary Lee Hermann
- Virginia R. Leitner
- Billie McKindra Phillips
- Sr. Jeanne Marie Meurer
- Sr. Thelma Marie Mitchell
- Leroy Sachs
- Glenn Sheffield
- Walter G. Shifrin
- Senator Betty Sims
As Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans celebrates its 10th anniversary, the event will recognize this outstanding group of seniors who personify the organization’s vision of a society where all older adults are respected, productive, secure and fulfilled, while also celebrating the gala’s work to reshape the face of aging in the St. Louis region and raise critical funds to help underserved seniors in the area over the last 10 years.
“It’s hard to believe that’s it’s been a decade since we first launched our Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans concept,” said Mary Alice Ryan, President and CEO of the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. “After 10 years, our honorees continue to amaze us by demonstrating how exciting and fulfilling life after age 75 can be, and we’re excited to add another 22 honorees to the incredible group of more than 240 individuals that have been named Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans since 2003.”
With St. Andrew’s currently serving more than 8,000 St. Louis seniors annually, the Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans Gala is the primary fundraising event for St. Andrew’s and its Charitable Foundation. Over the past 10 years, the gala has generated over $1.6 million, which has been used by the organization to enhance the lives of seniors through a wide-range of programs and services, and extend financial aid to residents who have exhausted their resources.
“Annually, we currently serve over 8,000 seniors in the St. Louis area and provide $1.5 million in charitable care,” noted Ryan. “Each year, the number of seniors needing assistance continues to grow, making Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans a critical part of our fundraising efforts.”
The 2012 Ageless gala festivities will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 11 and will include a cocktail hour with the honorees, showcasing unique black and white photographs taken by photographer Jerry Naunheim. There also will be a special video tribute to them and an elegant three-course dinner.
“Wells Fargo Advisors is proud to serve again as Presenting Sponsor of Ageless—Remarkable Saint Louisans,” said Daniel Ludeman, President and CEO of Wells Fargo Advisors. “As a St. Louis-based firm that is dedicated to helping people and families achieve their life’s aspirations, Wells Fargo Advisors is delighted to play a part in recognizing these extraordinary people whose accomplishments inspire and serve as an example for all of us. On behalf of all Wells Fargo Advisors team members, we congratulate this year’s honorees.”
Providing leadership as the chairmen of this year’s event are Anne von der Heydt and Carolyn Farrell. A former cardiovascular nurse, von der Heydt retired from nursing in 1994 to focus on her family and volunteer activities. Today, she donates her time to a variety of organizations, including the St. Andrew’s Friends Board; the St. Louis Women’s Club, where she currently serves as second vice president; and the National Society of Arts and Letters where she also holds the office of second vice president. Carolyn Farrell is a long-time St. Louis resident who currently serves on the boards of the St. Louis Symphony, the Women’s Society of Washington University, Graham Farms, Inc. and the Heritage Account, Inc. She is also president of the St. Louis Women’s Club, and has been singing with the Junior League Larks for the past 25 years.
St. Andrew’s initiated the Ageless—Remarkable Saint Louisans concept in 2003 with the production of a one-of-a-kind photo book featuring the first year’s honorees. The program has gained popularity, and its unique and creative approach was recognized with the Innovation of the Year Award in 2004 by the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, and the 2007 Distinguished Service Award by the Missouri Association of Homes for the Aging.
Sponsorships for this year’s event are still available, and tickets are on sale for $175 per person, and may be purchased through St. Andrew’s by calling (314) 726-0111. Event RSVPs can now be made via the St. Andrew’s website at www.standrews1.com.
Created in 1961, as a non-profit partnership of the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri and the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy, St. Andrew’s is non-sectarian, faith-based and an expert at serving both older adults and their caregivers.
About Wells Fargo Advisors
With $1.1 trillion in client assets as of June 30, 2010, Wells Fargo’s brokerage business is comprised more than 15,100 full-service financial advisors and 5,000 licensed bankers. This vast network of advisors, one of the nation’s largest, serves clients through offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and in Latin America. Wells Fargo Advisors is the trade name used by two separate registered broker-dealers and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company: Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (members SIPC). Statistics include other broker-dealers of Wells Fargo & Company. www.wellsfargoadvisors.com
For more information, contact:
Shelene Treptow, The Hauser Group, (314) 436-9090
Bernadette Groner, St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System, (314) 726-0111