UNIVERSITY CITY RESIDENT TO BE RECOGNIZED AT ST. ANDREW'S RESOURCES FOR SENIORS SYSTEM'S 12TH ANNUAL AGELESS-REMARKABLE SAINT LOUISANS GALA

The St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System will once again demonstrate that age is truly nothing more than a number as it hosts its 12th annual Ageless Remarkable St. Louisans Gala on Sunday, Nov. 9, at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch. The event will recognize another group of 19 amazing older adults, age 75+, who are reshaping the face of aging in the region by using their “golden years” to travel, continue careers and embark on new ones and lend their time and talents to their favorite charities. Through their active and engaged spirits, these incredible individuals are proving that retirement doesn’t have to be synonymous with slowing down, while also providing a fresh perspective on what it means to grow older.

The 2014 group of honorees includes journalist and children’s book author Cynthia Frohlichstein,; BSI Constructors chairman Joe Shaughnessy; Nazi concentration camp survivor, Mendel Rosenberg; marathon runner and Senior Olympian Pat Britt; and the former Council Executive Director of the Girl Scouts and Associate National Director of the YWCA, Jane Towater.

The complete list of extraordinary seniors who will be recognized at this year’s gala includes:

• Ann Bannes
• Don Beimdiek
• Pat Britt
• Mattie Davis
• Elsie Freeman
• Cynthia Frohlichstein
• Judith Garfinkel
• Paul Greenlaw
• Anna Harris
• Harry Hope
• Larry Lemke
• Joan Quicksilver
• Darlene Roland
• Mendel Rosenberg
• Joe Shaughnessy
• Anita Siegmund
• Betty Suggs
• Jane Towater
• Sr. Cordula Wekenborg

The 2014 class of Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans will join the amazing group of 300 older adults who have been recognized over the past decade and personify St. Andrew’s vision of a society where all older adults are respected, productive, secure and fulfilled.

“It’s hard to believe that we’re preparing to host our 12th annual Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans gala,” said Mary Alice Ryan, President and CEO of the St. Andrew’s Resources for Seniors System. “After so many years, we continue to be in awe of the incredible individuals we have the pleasure of recognizing. Our Ageless honorees represent the very definition of ‘active aging,’ and their accomplishments rival those of people half their age. We look forward to celebrating their amazing lives on Nov. 9.”

With St. Andrew’s currently serving more than 8,700 St. Louis seniors annually, the Ageless-Remarkable St. Louisans Gala is the primary fundraising event for St. Andrew’s and its Charitable Foundation. Since its inception, the gala has generated over $1.8 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.

“As our economy continues to struggle, so do area seniors,” noted Ryan. “Funds from the Ageless Gala allow us to continue to serve the growing number of older adults in the St. Louis region who are in need of assistance.”

Helping to give this year’s event a financial boost are the World Wide Technology Foundation and the Steward Family Foundation, Wells Fargo Advisors and the Cape Albeon retirement community, which have all signed on as sponsors of the 2014 Ageless Gala. World Wide Technology is serving as the Presenting sponsor, while Wells Fargo and Cape Albeon have joined in as Platinum sponsors.

The 2014 Ageless gala festivities will begin at 6 p.m. on Nov. 9 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.

Providing leadership as the chairmen of this year’s event are Alan E. Brainerd and Rich and Nan Klassen. Alan E. Brainerd is owner and principal of St. Louis-based interior design firm Alan E. Brainerd Interiors. An allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, Brainerd is the Immediate Past Chairman of the Friends of St. Andrew’s Board, member of the St. Andrew’s Charitable Foundation Board, author of the Ladue News column “Design Defined,” and the 2010 recipient of The Commerce Bank Community Service Award. Chicago natives Nan and Rich Klassen are college sweethearts, who met at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Rich most recently retired as Delta Dental of Missouri’s Chief Marketing and Sales Officer, while Nan devotes her time as a community volunteer for several civic organizations, along with the Friends of St. Andrew’s Board, Ladue Public Schools and St. Louis City Schools. They have both been active with St. Andrews Resources for Seniors for over 10 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. Tickets are on sale for $175 per person, and may be purchased through St. Andrew’s by calling (314) 726-0111. In addition, for the first time ever, past honorees may purchase tickets for half price. 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.