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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 14, 2007

First Lady Frances Strickland Celebrates Contributions of Married Volunteers

COLUMBUS - First Lady Frances Strickland will honor 28 couples for their dedication to marriage and volunteerism at the eighth annual Joined Hearts in Giving celebration on March 16 at the governor’s residence in Columbus. The event was originally scheduled for Valentine’s Day, but was rescheduled due to the winter storm that swept through Ohio in February.

"These couples enrich their communities by generously volunteering their time and skills," Strickland said. "Their dedication to their families and their communities is an example for us all."

Joined Hearts in Giving honors Ohioans at least 60 years old who have been married 40 years or longer and who share a commitment to volunteerism - particularly as volunteers with children or in youth education.

"The devotion of these couples is truly heart-warming," said Barbara E. Riley, director of the Ohio Department of Aging. "Their commitment to each other and their passion to help others is an model we can all take to heart."

The 2007 Joined Hearts in Giving Celebration, hosted by the First Lady’s Office and the Ohio Department of Aging, will be held Friday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m. at the governor's residence in Columbus. Strickland and Ms. Riley will honor the couples for their lifetime volunteer efforts and service to others.

These special volunteers range in age from 64 to 87 years, and two couples have been married 63 years. The first lady honored these couples:

• Wade & Iris Baddeley of Alliance
• William & Virginia (Ginny) Bauer of Lucas
• Jerry & Carol Brown of Lima
• Al & Zora Cimperman of Parma
• Wayne & Vonda Dundon of Canal Fulton
• Leo & Barbara Eldridge of Mansfield
• Joseph & Lillian Franchuk of Chillicothe
• James & Ann Gillard of Columbus
• Bill & Stephanie Hasson of Parma
• Floyd & June Hawk of Edison
• Joseph & Helen Huda of Petersburg
• James & Barbara Mackall of East Palestine
• George & Frieda McCann of Springfield
• Gail Raymond & Maxine McMurray of Conneaut
• Dave & Peg Miskimen of Dover
• Robert & Betty Morris of Beverly
• Gene & Lois Muster of Gnadenhutten
• Tom & Mary Myser of Marengo
• Irvin & Ida Schwartz of Cincinnati
• Dr. Bernard & Louise Shultz of Warren
• Kenneth & Donna Smith of West Alexandria
• Melvin & Mildred Smith of West Farmington
• Gene & Mary Jane Stechschulte of Kalida
• Ralph & Patricia Strickland of Waverly
• Joseph & Marlene Vargo of Parma
• Gerald & Gladys Von Stein of Nevada
• Eugene & Gloria Yarger of Bellville
• Ernest & Adele Zeitler of Columbiana

Click here for brief bios and photos of the honorees…

The Ohio Department of Aging accepts nominations for Joined Hearts in Giving year-round through its Web site: www.goldenbuckeye.com/joinedhearts/

About ODA

The Ohio Department of Aging serves and represents two million Ohioans age 60 and older. The Department advocates for the needs of all older citizens, with an emphasis on improving the quality of life for older Ohioans, helping them live active, healthy and independent lives, and promoting positive attitudes toward aging and older people. The Department provides services to older Ohioans through 12 area agencies on aging, home- and community-based Medicaid waiver programs such as PASSPORT, the long-term care ombudsman and the Golden Buckeye Card. For more information, visit www.goldenbuckeye.com.