PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, November 7, 2005:
Nobody ever accused Vince Whibbs of being the shy and retiring type. As Mayor Emeritus of Pensacola and prominent businessman for over half a century, Whibbs has kept a high profile and devoted himself to many causes.
One of those is Council on Aging of West Florida, for whose 2006 calendar Whibbs dons a bowtie - and not much else.
Not to worry. Whibbs covers up what needs to be covered with a large heart that proclaims "I love Anna." Anna would be his wife of nearly 63 years, who just happens to be next to him with her own heart - and a necklace - that proclaims "Vince Loves Me." Suffice to say, their seven children, 26 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren are seeing them in a whole new light. And that's the point.
The Whibbses are among Pensacola Bay Area community leaders - men, women and couples - age 60 and over who "grinned and bared it" for Perfectly Aged, a 13-month calendar featuring artistic black-and-white photographs of local celebrities. Photographed at some of Pensacola's most historic and popular landmarks, the fundraising project celebrates the beauty, grace and vitality of aging.
"We do have to suffer the advancing years, but we don't really have to grow old. We like to do things out of the box and have fun. There's fun in aging gracefully," the ever-optimistic former mayor said. "We're going to keep on keeping on."
Calendars are available at www.coawfla.org or by phone at (850) 432-1475. Unsigned calendars are $25. Limited edition, autographed calendars are $40.
"The goal of the project is to raise over $300,000. These funds will enable the Council to provide services to elders in immediate danger of institutionalization if in-home services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer's respite care are not available," explained Council public information manager, Jeff Nall.
"We like to think of them as over 60 and sexy. They send a message about the beauty of aging -- they are active, vibrant, beautiful people - - and very good sports," said project director DeeDee Ritchie, former Florida State Representative and Florida Teacher of the Year. Calendar photographer, Michael Duncan, president of Duncan McCall Advertising, added, "They are amazing -- in a setting like this, they reveal their true personalities, and it was a blast doing it."
19 percent of the population of Escambia County, Florida, which is served by the Council, lives below the poverty level. As most of those in need of Council services have lower incomes, empowering seniors to live independently can also save tax dollars, as nursing homes are more expensive and would be paid for by Medicaid funds, a combination of state and federal tax revenue.
Already, more than 13 percent of the county's population is age 65 and over - 24% of those people have two or more disabilities, and the elderly population is expected to rise faster than any other group in coming years.
The Council on Aging of West Florida, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has provided community based in-home services and programs for the elderly since 1972.
Jeff Nall
Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.
E-mail: jnall@coawfla.org
www.coawfla.org
November 7, 2005
USA: Seniors Bare It All For 'Perfectly Aged' Calendar
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, November 7, 2005:
Nobody ever accused Vince Whibbs of being the shy and retiring type. As Mayor Emeritus of Pensacola and prominent businessman for over half a century, Whibbs has kept a high profile and devoted himself to many causes.
One of those is Council on Aging of West Florida, for whose 2006 calendar Whibbs dons a bowtie - and not much else.
Not to worry. Whibbs covers up what needs to be covered with a large heart that proclaims "I love Anna." Anna would be his wife of nearly 63 years, who just happens to be next to him with her own heart - and a necklace - that proclaims "Vince Loves Me." Suffice to say, their seven children, 26 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren are seeing them in a whole new light. And that's the point.
The Whibbses are among Pensacola Bay Area community leaders - men, women and couples - age 60 and over who "grinned and bared it" for Perfectly Aged, a 13-month calendar featuring artistic black-and-white photographs of local celebrities. Photographed at some of Pensacola's most historic and popular landmarks, the fundraising project celebrates the beauty, grace and vitality of aging.
"We do have to suffer the advancing years, but we don't really have to grow old. We like to do things out of the box and have fun. There's fun in aging gracefully," the ever-optimistic former mayor said. "We're going to keep on keeping on."
Calendars are available at www.coawfla.org or by phone at (850) 432-1475. Unsigned calendars are $25. Limited edition, autographed calendars are $40.
"The goal of the project is to raise over $300,000. These funds will enable the Council to provide services to elders in immediate danger of institutionalization if in-home services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer's respite care are not available," explained Council public information manager, Jeff Nall.
"We like to think of them as over 60 and sexy. They send a message about the beauty of aging -- they are active, vibrant, beautiful people - - and very good sports," said project director DeeDee Ritchie, former Florida State Representative and Florida Teacher of the Year. Calendar photographer, Michael Duncan, president of Duncan McCall Advertising, added, "They are amazing -- in a setting like this, they reveal their true personalities, and it was a blast doing it."
19 percent of the population of Escambia County, Florida, which is served by the Council, lives below the poverty level. As most of those in need of Council services have lower incomes, empowering seniors to live independently can also save tax dollars, as nursing homes are more expensive and would be paid for by Medicaid funds, a combination of state and federal tax revenue.
Already, more than 13 percent of the county's population is age 65 and over - 24% of those people have two or more disabilities, and the elderly population is expected to rise faster than any other group in coming years.
The Council on Aging of West Florida, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization, has provided community based in-home services and programs for the elderly since 1972.
Jeff Nall
Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.
E-mail: jnall@coawfla.org
www.coawfla.org
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