Sound Generations, a non-profit agency serving older adults and their loved ones in Washington state, is accepting nominations for the 2016 Inspire Positive Aging Awards. Anyone age 60 and over who lives in King County is eligible for nomination, and nominations may be submitted by anyone who wishes to participate.

King County is filled with older adults whose lives inspire us about how to age with grace, enthusiasm, creativity, hope and energy. They quietly make life better for others as their years advance. Sound Generations created the Inspire Positive Aging Award in 2006 to recognize these role models, and this year will recognize five recipients in the categories of “Advocacy + Activism,” “Community Service,” “Health + Wellness,” “Intergenerational Impact” and “Lifelong Learning.”

Inspire Positive Aging Award recipients receive prizes that include a one-year membership to their local King County senior center. Additionally, each individual who nominates one of the five recipients receives a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.

“Is there an older adult in your life who inspires you?” said Sound Generations CEO Paula L. Houston. “Many of us have a parent or grandparent, a mentor or teacher, or a friend or neighbor, whose life exemplifies positive aging through community involvement, healthy living, relationships and endurance – all the traits we ourselves hope to exhibit as we age. Join us in celebrating positive aging and nominate someone you know for the Inspire Positive Aging Awards.”

The recipient of the 2015 Inspire Positive Aging Award, Eileen Broomell, 90, is an ideal example of the past honorees. She’s an educator, motivator, instructor and a strong believer in positive thinking. Broomell has been a Red Cross volunteer instructor/trainer for several decades. She also ran her own business as a canoe river guide for 27 years as well as having been a Highline Community College instructor and coach of their basketball and volleyball teams. In her retirement, she continues to teach health, wellness and exercise classes at several senior centers. She is regularly at SeaTac Senior Center for her Seniors Working Out class and has formed a strong relationship with other participants.

The full list of past recipients is available at http://inspire-award.org/PastWinners.

Award recipients will be announced June 9 at the Inspire Positive Aging Awards Luncheon at the Bellevue Hilton. Luncheon tickets are available at http://inspire-award.org/registration

Nominations must be received or postmarked by April 30. Nomination forms are available at www.inspire-award.org. Requests for the form or questions about the awards may be directed to Brittany Blue at 206-727-6261 or brittanybl@soundgenerations.org.