Robert “RJ” Doninguez was among the 15 Senior Hall of Fame recipients. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

PORT CLINTON – Before any of the other older adults arrive at the Ed Griswold Senior Center in Genoa, Robert “RJ” Doninguez is there, getting things ready. After they leave, he sticks around to help clean up. Outside of senior center hours, Doninguez helps others anyway he can, without thought of return.

Doninguez was honored as one of the 2026 Ottawa County 15 over 60 Senior Hall of Fame recipients during an awards ceremony at the Senior Day & Resource Fair hosted by Ottawa County Senior Resources at the Camp Perry Clubhouse on Sept. 2. The ceremony honored 15 extraordinary adults who impact their community.

Vonnie Hedges, left, handed out scarves to many women, including Susan Johns, right, to help them enjoy the 1950s theme on Senior Day. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The award recipients were Kenn Kaufman, Patricia “Pattie” Haley, Jane Taylor, Gregory “Greg” Sanderson, Ron Ossovicki, Robert S. Boytim, Sarah “Sally” Stuckey, Kim Sedlak, Linda Bronowski, Burt Klapp, Sue Gribble, Eithel Drum, Jodi Regal, Barbara “Barb” Clemons, and Dominguez.

Doninguez’s service comes in quiet moments. He regularly mows a friend’s lawn, and he helped a recently widowed senior learn how to pump gas. He simply sees a need and fills it, ensuring those around him are not forgotten and alone.

During the ceremony, he was honored for proving that “service doesn’t need a title and that being a good neighbor can make an extraordinary difference.”

Doninguez was surprised by the award.

“It feels very happy to be nominated. I had no idea,” he said. “It was a total surprise to me.”

Ottawa County Senior Resources Executive Director, Tory Thompson, left, and Senior Resources volunteer, Julie Sigurdson, helped make Senior Day a success for nearly 300 older adults. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

The Senior Day & Resource Fair was a sold-out event that featured a complimentary meal, resource tables from area organizations and businesses, free lab screenings provided by Magruder Hospital and the Ottawa County Health Department, giveaways, prizes, and live music provided by North Coast Tempo.

The event was hosted by Senior Resources Executive Director Tory Thompson, who was happy to honor Senior Resources Program Coordinator, Kim Sedlak, as a Senior Hall of Fame award recipient. Sedlak has dedicated over 20 years to local seniors and the community at large. Thompson said one thing has remained constant in Sedlak’s work: seniors come first.

Nearly 300 seniors attended the free event, and along with all of the participants, about 400 people filled the Camp Perry Clubhouse. Among them was Kathleen Gordon of Oak Harbor.

From left, Alicia Guerra, Irma Torres, and Blanca Lawrence enjoyed Senior Day at Camp Perry on Sept. 2. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

“It’s so very nice. I love it,” Gordon said. “I love the raffle baskets – all the good things you can get.”

This year’s theme was the 1950s, so many people dressed in poodle skirts and saddle shoes. Vonnie Hedges of Marblehead bought a ten-pack of fancy neck scarves to pass out at the event to help others fully enjoy the day.

“I found women who wanted to wear them,” she said. “I love to dress up. My generation loved to dress up.”