Seniors Honored During Annual Jamboree

AVALON – Seniors throughout the county came to Avalon Community Hall May 7 for the annual Cape May County Senior Jamboree.
Freeholder Gerald Thornton, Director of Health and Human Services, and the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored Frank Angelone of Middle Township and Gladys Brady of the City of Cape May for being selected the 2009 Cape May County Outstanding Seniors of the Year at the Senior Jamboree May 7.
Wildwood Catholic and Middle Township High School students served lunch.
Attendees packed Avalon Community Hall for this annual event hosted by Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Aging to celebrate Cape May County’s senior citizens for Older American’s Month.
Each year, two outstanding senior citizens are honored for positively contributing to the community.
Frank Angelone was named male Senior of the year. Born in Philadelphia, Frank moved to Cape May County in 1997. He retired from the Philadelphia Gas Works after 38 years of service. Both Frank and his wife are very active volunteers. Sites where Frank volunteers include Volunteers in Medicine (VIM.), and Cape Regional Medical Center.
Additionally, Frank volunteers for the local Ambulance Corps as an auxiliary member, teaches “55 Alive,” a Defensive Driving Course and is involved in the local AARP Chapter. Frank is active in the Knights of Columbus and is Vice President of “Our Lady of Angels” senior group.
“As you can see, Frank spends much of his time helping others. He is dedicated to his community and the people who reside in it,” Thornton said.
Gladys Brady of the City of Cape May was honored as female Senior of the Year. Gladys has worked as a beach tag lady in Cape May for 25 years.
“Gladys loves helping others, in any way she can. She may be employed by the City of Cape May to sell beach tags, but all the extra things she does is above and beyond the call of duty,” Thornton said.
“Gladys has her own personal collection of books she lends to beachgoers, as well as a needle and thread for torn bathing suits, quarters for meters, first aide products, and even a jelly fish sting remedy. Also, Gladys has been known to put her own quarters in a meter when she sees one expire near her stand,” he added.
When asked what she loves to do, Gladys’ only answer was “help others.”
She once found a wallet, returned it to the owner. When she was offered a reward she instructed the gentleman to please make a donation to a well known charitable organization for children. He did just that.
Gladys loves to walk around town, helping her friends and neighbors. In 2001, she was awarded “Citizen of the Year” by the City of Cape May for her many years of volunteer service.