The Senior Provider Information Network of Lane County (SPIN) honored Jo Schechter, advertising executive for Northwest Boomer and Senior News, LifeStream Celebrations, and Major Family Funeral Home, with the 2013 SPIN Award at its regular monthly meeting on March 12 at the Campbell Community Center in Eugene, Oregon.
Jo Schechter has been working for NW Boomer and Senior News since May 2010. She is the primary advertising executive in Lane County for the monthly newspaper.
The annual award, presented since 2009, was the brainchild of Nancy Koll, ElderHealth & Living, and honors someone who has made a significant contribution to the professional community in service to seniors and people with disabilities.
Angela Phinney, SPIN co-chair, presented the award in the form of a crystal globe held up by a team working together, to Schechter on behalf of the SPIN members. Schechter’s service was noted for bringing countless new members to SPIN and also for her exceptional community fundraising efforts, most recently on behalf of the Musicians Emergency Medical Association.
Schechter, who was surprised by SPIN with the honor after working in community relations for many years in Lane County, said, “I love SPIN. Our group is so special. It is like family to me. I love serving seniors (especially since I now qualify) and serving people who serve boomers and seniors.”
She added, “Love what you do, love yourself, think positively, serve others, and be committed to your success.”
The mission of SPIN is to provide education, information and networking opportunities to professionals of Lane County so they can better serve seniors and people with disabilities. The group has been meeting in its current format since 2004.
Previous SPIN Award honorees include Carolyn St. Clair, RN, Care Coordinator; Frank Hales, retired director of the Cascade Coast Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; Barbara Passarelli, fiduciary aide and community outreach specialist; ElderCare Resources, Inc; and Lauren Holland, Lane County Circuit Court judge.
– Submitted by Michelle Te, NW Senior & Boomer News Editor
