Framingham Council on Aging Awards First-Ever Heroes Award To 4 Seniors

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FRAMINGHAM – The Framingham Council on Aging is honoring four senior residents of the community who have contributed to the inclusivity and diversity of Framingham in one of the following areas:

• Culture/Arts
• Social Development
• Health/Health Care
• Public Service

This is the first time the Framingham Council of Aging has held this type of recognition, and we look forward to it being an annual part of the Callahan Center’s Senior Week.

Nubia Gazeta – Social Development

Nubia is a leader in the Portuguese-speaking community, leading the effort to blend the Brazilian culture into the fabric of the Framingham community since the late 1990s. She has been instrumental in assisting the registration of first-time voters among new immigrants and providing support for the underprivileged, who cannot advocate for themselves.

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Anne Sullivan – Health/Health Care

Anne is a social justice warrior. She has worked tirelessly to make sure that Framingham’s environment is safe for all. Anne is actively involved in the fight to eliminate the ground chemicals impacting the health of our residents living on the south side of Framingham. Anne is also a vocal supporter of more affordable housing in Framingham and an advocate for residents in Framingham Senior Housing.

Padre Don Pachuta – Social Development and Public Service

Padre Pachuta is a role model in our community. He quietly works in the background and miraculously gets things done to meet the needs of diverse people in our community, who struggle to have the essentials to live day-to-day.

Merrily Herring – Social Development and Public Service

Merrily nurtures and connects people, ranging from the young to the old, with love. She has been a critical contributor to the blending of African American history into the Framingham community by being a founding member of Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast and South Middlesex County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

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The award recipients contribute to making Framingham a place that residents are proud to call home. The Framingham Council of Aging hopes to receive more nominations to recognize the seniors who have contributed to the Framingham community next year.

The Council of Aging extends its thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination. The time spent noting the accomplishments of its older adults to help Framingham be a diverse community that welcomes and recognizes the values of every ethnic background is greatly appreciated.

A special thanks is extended to the Framingham Senior Heroes Awards five-member committee. The committee was a diverse group of Framingham residents that were actively engaged throughout the process.

The Council of Aging will have an awards ceremony to acknowledge the contributions of 2021 Framingham Senior Heroes once COVID restrictions are lifted.

Editor’s Note: Portions of this report came from a press release from the City of Framingham