BY LOU WHEELAND

Special to The Press

Lehigh County’s Office of Aging and Adult Services celebrated May 17 with its 23rd annual tribute to Unsung Heroes at Fellowship Community, Whitehall Township.

The presentations were made by Clayton Reed Jr., executive director of the Office of Aging and Adult Services, county Executive Phillips Armstrong and Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Aging Jason Kavulich.

According to information provided by the Office of Aging and Adult Services, Anthony Adams of Upper Macungie Township was one of 18 Lehigh County residents and a group of nine people honored as part of the tribute.

This tribute, in honor of Older Americans Month, celebrates older adults in the Lehigh Valley who have displayed exceptional generosity with their time and talents to enrich the lives of others in the community.

During this annual recognition ceremony, each honoree received a certificate from Lehigh County Aging and Adult Services, a certificate from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging, and citations from their local legislators.

They also received a book on the history of Lehigh County, an Unsung Hero pin, and Unsung Hero yard sign and flowers.

According to his tribute, written by Rick Daugherty, executive director of Lehigh Valley Active Life:

“Anthony has been a member of Lehigh Valley Active Life senior center for six years. He retired from the New York City Transit Authority where he worked as a bus operator for 20 years. A lifelong New Yorker, he moved to the Lehigh Valley in 2016, after a friend who lives here told him how nice it is. He has never looked back.

“Anthony found Lehigh Valley Active Life through the Morning Call Community Calendar, where a number of our classes are listed each week. He first got involved shooting pool here and gradually other activities such as karaoke, pickleball, movies, and lunch interested him.

“Rick Daugherty noted that Anthony, right off the bat, was friendly and always willing to help. He rolled up his sleeves to get the job done, whatever it was. He did not wait to be asked but jumped into action as soon as he saw he could help.

“Anthony was also very interested in videography and took the initiative to record various concerts and special events here, which delighted the participants who could then share what they did here with others, especially family members. Rick, always needing volunteers in order to operate and expand programs, began asking Anthony to take on leadership roles.

“Anthony has always felt that giving back to your community is part of being alive. In New York, he volunteered at his church, setting up and tearing down for events.

“He also volunteered at the SPCA where he cleaned out the kennels and took dogs for walks.

“Here, Anthony is a member of Cedar Lutheran Church, South Whitehall, where he sings with the choir.

“At Lehigh Valley Active Life, Anthony runs our Wednesday Afternoon Dance with his friend Ronnie Lawson. Ronnie and Anthony also keep an eye on our ever-growing pickleball program, where they provide snacks, make sure everyone signs in, and lock up the facility afterward.

“Anthony is a hard worker, extremely responsible, and really enjoys helping people feel welcomed.

“If you have ever been a stranger in a new environment, you know how valuable that friendly person is to make you feel welcomed and appreciated. Anthony excels at helping people adjust to a new place because of his outgoing, friendly, engaging personality.

“He has made a real difference in the lives of so many people.”