ONTARIO — The Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging's 2024 Outstanding Senior Citizen for Richland County is Dorothy Michalovich. She and other outstanding seniors from the agency's service area were honored during a ceremony Aug. 7 at the Hawkins Conference Center in Ontario.
Michalovich moved to Butler with her late husband Ron, raising their four children. She retired from Clear Fork High School and has since devoted herself tirelessly to various community initiatives.
As a founding organizer of the Butler Adult Senior Center and its nutrition program, Michalovich ensures that underserved community members and seniors receive daily meals and social activities. She has been a charter member of the Butler Lioness/Lions Club since 1985, serving in roles such as president, vice president, membership chair and newsletter editor.
Despite being in her golden years, Michalovich remains active, organizing the group Holiday Happiness over 30 years ago. This group spreads joy by distributing gifts, food baskets and ham for a Christmas meal to families in need during the holidays in the Butler area. Michalovich's community involvement extends to Resurrection Parish, where she serves as a Holy Eucharist server and participates in a nursing home ministry that hosts senior breakfasts.
Michalovich played a pivotal role in transforming the Butler Adult Center, formerly an old furniture warehouse, into a hub providing food and social activities to community seniors. She continues to volunteer, handling bookkeeping for the center and actively participating in Lioness Club activities, including pancake breakfasts and fundraisers like the Prairie Peddler Fundraiser and other fundraising and community service activities.
In addition to her community service, Michalovich is a devoted full-time caregiver for her son.
Each year the Area Agency on Aging honors senior citizens who are making a difference in their communities and present a positive image of aging. There is one award recipient for each county in the Agency’s service area. The other honorees are:
- Rebecca Plank - Ashland County
- Mary Jo Carle - Crawford County
- Lynette Crum - Huron County
- Joseph and Donna Gutridge - Knox County
- Gabriel and Ednita Vaflor - Marion County
- Patrick Drouhard - Morrow County
- Janet Schueler - Seneca County
- Rita and Larry Bennett - Wyandot County
Community Service Award presented to Project ONE-ARC
Project ONE-ARC of Richland County was presented with the Agency's 2024 Community Service Award. Project ONE-ARC is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting individuals and encouraging a sense of community through a variety of initiatives.
The organization excels in combating social isolation among seniors through its Wednesday Senior Day program. Each week, seniors come together to enjoy games, share stories and have delicious lunches. The program has been praised for its respectful and caring environment, offering a much-needed outlet for socialization and mental stimulation. Many participants have expressed how these activities have helped them form new friendships, reduce PTSD symptoms, and create lasting, positive memories.
During the holiday season, the staff goes above and beyond by visiting seniors, delivering cookies, and singing Christmas songs, ensuring no one feels alone.
Additionally, they provide a warming center for the homeless and offer drug recovery programs, extending their support to those in need within the community.
Awardees must first be nominated by an individual or organization involved with seniors. They are then selected by the Agency based on the impact of their contributions and accomplishments within the community made after reaching age 60.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Area Agency on Aging honors Dorothy Michalovich as Richland County's Outstanding Senior
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