SACO – The Maine Public Relations Council recently presented Jean Saunders with the Midge Vreeland Public Service Award at the 2018 MPRC Awards Ceremony and Holiday Social in Portland.

The annual award is given to an individual or organization whose efforts help the greater good and embody the core principles that were held by the late Midge Vreeland: integrity, commitment to community service and a willingness to advance organizations and their causes. Vreeland was a longtime MPRC member and the founder, with her husband Stew, of Vreeland Marketing & Design in Yarmouth.

Saunders is chair and coordinator of Age Friendly Saco, a city committee that since 2016 has worked to promote active aging by optimizing opportunities for health, engagement and safety, while removing barriers that prevent Saco’s age 65 and older residents from remaining in their homes as they age. She was nominated for the award by City of Saco Marketing and Communications Specialist Emily Roy.

Saunders has volunteered her time to work with municipal and community leaders, town planners, students, and residents to recruit volunteers and launch programs benefiting Saco’s oldest residents. She has dedicated countless hours to making sure the needs of Saco’s age 65+ population have been identified and are being met.

Her efforts have led to the creation of a multigenerational garden at the Saco Community Center, the installation of accessibility mats at Bayview Beach enabling those in wheelchairs or using other mobility aids to enjoy the beach, and the donation of a beach wheelchair and walker.

“The work that Jean is doing and has done is outstanding,” said Rich Davies, a member of the Midge Vreeland Public Service Award selection committee, and creative partner and president at Vreeland Marketing & Design. “Her effort and the impact she has made is very reminiscent of Midge’s dedication to public service, and a true match for the spirit of the award. All of us at Vreeland Marketing congratulate Jean on winning the Midge Vreeland Award and salute her for her commitment to the residents Saco.”

Saco businesses have funded a Handyman Program and database to connect residents with credible vendors, an adaptive tool library, and a Sand Buckets for Seniors program during winter. Saco fire fighters can now easily enter the homes of older residents in need thanks to the start-up of a Knox Box program. And, last year the Habitat for Humanity Home Weatherization Program was introduced in Saco.

Dinners, dances and other events in partnership with the Saco Parks and Recreation Department happen through the SENIORity program which connects residents with opportunities to socialize and have fun outside of their homes. Saco was accepted into AARP’s national network of Age-Friendly Communities in 2016.

Saunders and the Age Friendly Saco committee have secured grants from AARP and the Maine Community Foundation to support programs and initiatives for seniors.