The Kinneret Council on Aging will proudly pay tribute to eight individuals over the age of 80 who have made significant contributions to the Jewish and Central Florida community on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. “The 8 over 80 event really resonates with the mission of the Kinneret Council on Aging and the inspiring stories we hear about seniors who contribute to our community through leadership, activism, altruism and philanthropy,” says Neal Blaher, president of the Board for the Kinneret Council on Aging.

The Kinneret Council on Aging is giving the members of the community the opportunity to submit nominations for the 8 over 80 honorees now through Oct. 30. “We are looking for individuals who continue to participate actively in the community, defying stereotypes associated with older adults and refusing to slow down,” says Faye Novick, 8 over 80 chairwoman. “They are role models for all of us. These are people who dedicate themselves to the Jewish value of tikun olam; repairing the world.” Last year’s honorees included: Anita Hara, John Lowndes, Claire Mercer, Gloria Newberger, Bunny Rosen, Charlotte Rotenberg, Irv Shargaa and Madeline Wolly.

Nomination forms are available on the Kinneret Apartments website at http://www.kinneretapartments.com or can be obtained by calling 407-425-4537. Individuals may nominate more than one person. A nomination committee made up of diverse members of the community will select the honorees by Nov. 10.

The 8 over 80 honorary dinner will be held in the Delaney Dining Room at Kinneret Apartments and will benefit the Kinneret Council on Aging (KCOA). The Kinneret Council on Aging provides programs for residents that are not included in the resident’s monthly rent. These programs include:

• A hot meal program where residents receive a nutritious five-course meal, served tableside at 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Residents pay $5 a meal and the rest is subsidized by the Kinneret Council on Aging.

• The Congregate Housing Services Program that provides transitional care to residents after an illness or injury that enables them to stay in their home as they regain their independence.

• Jewish programming including weekly Shabbat services, High Holiday and Passover meals.

• Community outreach and volunteer programs that bring educational and cultural programming to our residents.

The Kinneret Apartments are the Jewish community’s twin residence towers for low-income senior citizens in downtown Orlando. For more information, contact Leslie Collin, executive administrator at 407-425-4537.