Nominations are Open for 20th Anniversary Inspire Positive Aging Awards

What does a youth advocate, a former prisoner of war, budding author at age 80, and the founder of an elementary school in Ghana all have in common?

Answer: they are all former recipients of Sound Generations’ Inspire Positive Aging Awards (IPAA)!

In its 20^th Anniversary year, IPAA celebrates older adults in King County who inspire or challenge those around them to rethink the aging process and what they want for their own aging journey. For the first time in event history, nominations are open to all adults 60 years and older living in Western Washington (anywhere west of the Cascade Mountains). The 2025 IPAA nominations are now open, people of all ages are encouraged to submit a nomination.

The nomination form is available at inspire-award.org. Forms must be received or postmarked by March 12, 2025.

We will celebrate all nominees at the Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon, held on May 29th at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue. This unique, festive tradition brings together hundreds of people from diverse communities throughout King County. “My goal was to make older adults feel seen and appreciated. It has now become an annual staple event that inspires all involved to rethink what they want their own aging journey to be.” shared Brittany Blue, Chief Marketing and Philanthropy Officer.

Any individual aged 60 and older who lives in Western Washington is eligible for nomination. Anyone who wishes to participate may submit a nomination. Individuals can nominate more than one deserving older adult. Our nominees and award recipients are profoundly grateful for their recognition and acknowledgement of their contributions. One past recipient shared, “We create differences in the lives of those we serve. Each task of everyday life is part of the healing and creating of our neighborhoods, our country, and our world.”

Do not delay, nominate someone today! This year, Sound Generations will recognize recipients in the following six categories:

Advocacy + Activism

Recognize someone committed to advancing his or her community through positive change.

Community Service

Express your gratitude for someone who contributes time and energy to helping others.

Health + Wellness

Celebrate someone who promotes healthy living and inspires you to do the same.

Intergenerational Impact

Acknowledge the contributions of someone who works to improve the lives of people of all ages.

Lifelong Learning

Show your appreciation for someone who inspires you to broaden your horizons.

Defining Inspiration

Recognize a single person whose attributes have touched and inspired you in a unique way.

Not only is this a wonderful way to uplift and amplify the contributions of our aging neighbors, but it allows them to receive public and monetary recognition. Award recipients receive prizes that include a $200 Visa gift card. The individual who nominates one of the award recipients receives a $50 Visa gift card.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Kaitlyn Redwood at 206.727.6230, or email Kaitlyn.redwood@soundgenerations.org

Sound Generations has served aging adults, adults with disabilities, and those who care for them in King County since 1967. We provide the state’s most comprehensive range of 12 life-changing services encompassing Food Security, Transportation, Health & Wellness, and Assistance Services. During the pandemic, we pivoted to meet the needs of older adults, including the establishment of the East African Senior Center and the expansion of Hyde Shuttle services to the Eastside. We have been a featured nonprofit in the Seattle Times Fund for Those in Need campaign for over 20 years for our focus on aging and disability services. We aspire to continuously adapt our services to meet the needs of our clients. As a result of the pandemic, we expanded our services to include Mental Health Support in 2020.

If you would like more information about this topic, please call Kaitlyn Redwood at 206.727.6230, or email Kaitlyn.redwood@soundgenerations.org