Senior Concerns of Thousand Oaks celebrated its 33rd annual Ultimate Dining fundraiser Sept. 15 by honoring two of the Conejo Valley’s best-known philanthropists, George and Patricia Jones.
The organization named the T.O. couple Philanthropists of the Year in front of the over 400 guests who attended Saturday’s gala affair at the Hyatt Regency Westlake.
George Jones had a 15-year career in engineering and 25 years in investment counseling before turning to the in-home healthcare business 10 years ago. Owners of the T.O.-based company Home Helpers, the Joneses have donated more than $100,000 to Senior Concerns over the past five years.
“You’re enabling seniors to age in place and live in their homes with dignity,” T.O. City Councilmember Al Adam told the couple.
“These are two of the largest hearts in the Conejo Valley,” Councilmember Joel Price said.
Patricia Jones served on the Senior Concerns board of directors for five years and was board chair for three years. She will return as chair in 2019.
“We’re just doing what we love to do in a community where we love to live,” she said.
“Patricia and I are so used to honoring other people, now it’s the other way around,” her husband said.
Andrea Gallagher, the president of Senior Concerns whose senior advocacy column, “Other Side of 50,” appears regularly in the Acorn Newspapers, was the master of ceremonies for the event.
Also in attendance was Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, who helped Senior Concerns gain recognition from the state Legislature as a California Nonprofit of the Year for 2018.
Senior Concerns was founded in 1979. Last year the group delivered more than 30,000 fresh meals to homebound seniors through its Meals on Wheels program. It also provides caregiver support, healthy aging programs and legal, financial and advocacy services for seniors.
Earlier this year, Senior Concerns completed renovation work on its 25-year-old headquarters at 401 Hodencamp Road. A key renovation is a first in the U.S.— pour-on cork flooring that the nonprofit purchased at cost from a Norwegian supplier. The company installed the flooring in the 10,000-square-foot facility for free.
The senior population is expected to grow threefold over the next 20 years, studies show, faster than the under-30 demographic. In Ventura County, half of all seniors live at home.
Patricia Jones said working with seniors can be an inspiring, heartwarming experience.
“Being around the elderly can really help make your day,” she said.
