IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION honoring KC Shepherd’s 7th class of older adults who are over 70 and are seeds of change and living examples of meaningful and purposeful aging.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22402, September 14, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Sean E. Smith, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, KC Shepherd’s Center is the only Jackson County nonprofit organization exclusively celebrating, empowering, and serving older adults since 1972; and,
WHEREAS, KC Shepherd’s Center is the original Shepherd’s Center, serving as the model for more than 50 Shepherd’s Centers in 17 states nationwide; and,
WHEREAS, KC Shepherd’s Center brought Meals on Wheels to Kansas City in 1972, and remains the largest nonprofit provider delivering a daily well check to homebound seniors ever since; and,
WHEREAS, KC Shepherd’s Center is honoring their 7th class of older adults who are 70 or better and are seeds of change and living examples of meaningful and purposeful aging through their “70 over 70” Awards, celebrating the excellence, dedication and ongoing contributions of Kansas City’s older adults; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County Legislature Chair Donna Peyton exemplifies the pioneering values of KC Shepherd’s Center’s “70 over 70” Awards, not only as the first African-American Chair of the Jackson County Legislature, but also shows her ongoing commitment to serving older adults as the visionary co-sponsor, along with Legislator Jalen Anderson, of the unprecedented Jackson County Senior Levy passed by a 57.7% majority of Jackson County voters in November 2024, which will provide sustainable funding for senior services in Jackson County like those provided by KC Shepherd’s Center for our county’s fastest growing population, as well as her ongoing civic and community leadership in convening organizations to solve problems and build for the future; and,
WHEREAS, the 2026 Class of Kansas City Shepherd’s Center’s “70 over 70”, including Jackson County Legislative Chair Donna Peyton, exemplifies excellence, dedication and ongoing commitment to improving Kansas City, continually sewing seeds of change for a brighter future for Jackson County, showcasing the wisdom and experience of our elders; and,
WHEREAS, Janet Baker, Executive Director of KC Shepherd’s Center, has noted that these honorees have not only built the community we enjoy, offering invaluable lessons and insights from their life experiences, but continue to shape its future by their active engaged examples of meaningful and purposeful aging; and,
WHEREAS, the following distinguished honorees are being inducted into the KC Shepherd’s Center “70 over 70” Alumni Association at a celebration on September 17, 2026: Calvin Acklin, Debbie Anderson, Janet Archer, Rex Archer, Russ Ascheman, Lonnie Buerge, Dr. Janice Cade, John Carmichael, Denise Chambers, Jerry Cornelison, Evelyn Craig, Terri Curran, Kimberley Davis, Larry Dean, Judith Delphia, Paul Dew, Scott Duschen, Louis Finocchario, Janie Flynn, Barbara French, Elaine Fry, Patricia Fuller, Michael Garrett, Arzelia Gates, Dr. Kiva Gates, Charlie Getty, Mark Govea, Cindy Govea, Miles Hale, Carolyn Hall, Randy Hall, Don Hayes, Sheila Hayes, Jane Henderson, George Heymach, Rebecca Hill McKeel, Debra Johnson, Vicki Johnson, Walter Johnson, Patricia Jones-Macklin, Renee Kerr, Dr. Jessie O. Kirksey, Don Lambert, John Lohmeyer, Mary Virginia Marks, Lonnie McFadden, Taylor McMaster, Ted Mcknight, Pat Medill, Wanda Mehrhoff, Symie Menitove, Harold Milford, Donna Peyton, Marcia A. Pitts, Bill Prange, Judi Roling, Diane Salucci, John Schaefer, Deborah Schreier, Marvin Singleton, Jan Stenerud, Art Still, Tom Styrkowicz, William Taylor, Ola Truelove-Ross, Joe H. Vaughan, Richard D. White, Dr. Valdenia Winn, John Wood and James Wright; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri that the Legislature hereby congratulates the 2026 Class of Kansas City’s “70 over 70” and commends their remarkable achievements and continued dedication to making Kansas City a vibrant, inclusive and thriving community.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22402 of September 14, 2026, was duly passed on _______________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays ___________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ ______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature