- September 11, 2024
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Declan Sheehy, chief development officer at Senior Friendship Centers, said Erin McLeod was the kind of CEO who would probably be too humble to seek out an award for herself.
That is why staff at the nonprofit decided to fill out the application for the Lifetime Presidential Achievement Award without her knowledge.
In fact, Sheehy said he handed her the award while driving her to a meeting in the car, knowing the fact that he was driving would lessen her reaction.
Presented on behalf of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, the award was presented to McLeod in an Aug. 14 ceremony at the Sarasota campus of Senior Friendship Centers.
The event was also attended by Sarasota Mayor Liz Alpert, who read a city proclamation recognizing Aug. 14 as Erin McLeod Day.
McLeod said the prestigious award, which recognized her 6,500 hours of community service in her lifetime, ultimately celebrated the community.
“I'm really overwhelmed,” she said. “It's hard to come up with words for it, as somebody who's usually without pause for a word. But when I look at this, I'm really thinking, it’s not really about me. It's really about all the people that I work with, the volunteers that help us do what we do, all my friends in this community that do good work. This is a group award, and I’m accepting it on behalf of all of us because I think the work we do as a community is amazing.”
With McLeod’s background, the difficult part of the application was condensing it into a limited number of pages, said Sheehy.
McLeod has worked for Senior Friendship Centers since 2004, serving as its second CEO since its founding in 1973.
The regional nonprofit, which spans four counties, provides seniors, families and caregivers with services and programs through its $20 million annual budget.
It provides more than 30,000 meals each month to those who might otherwise go without a meal, said Kathy Silverberg, vice chair of the organization’s board of governors.
“Erin’s journey into humanitarianism began with a simple but profound belief that every person, regardless of their age, is entitled to dignity, to respect and a sense of belonging,” said Jennifer Pilate, the certifying agent for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award Program, at the podium. "This belief has served as the foundation of her work here at the Senior Friendship Centers, where she has tirelessly advocated for the elders, ensuring that they are not just cared for but also cherished.”
Pilate said one of McLeod's most notable accomplishments has been her support for intergenerational programming, noting the activities and opportunities available at Senior Friendship Centers.
"She has recognized that bridging the gap between the young and the elderly promotes mutual respect and understanding," she said. "Erin's initiatives have provided opportunities for younger generations to learn from their elders' wisdom and experiences, while also bringing joy and renewed sense of purpose into the lives of seniors."
She also said McLeod’s community work has influenced local and national policies to ensure the needs of seniors are addressed.
“Erin has a wide ranging influence in Florida, so not just at the local level, but at the state level as well,” she also said.
She said another factor in the award was McLeod’s work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When we were all kind of hidden away in our homes… that didn't stop Erin," she said. "She was out and about, making sure that the seniors were OK, making sure that they had food."
Beyond her work at Senior Friendship Centers, McLeod is also active in the community.
Among other roles, she serves as a board member of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and HCA Doctor’s Hospital of Sarasota, and is president-elect for the Florida Council on Aging.
A resident of Sarasota since 1983, her experience also includes consulting, health care and hospitality, and she holds a degree from the University of Florida in public relations.
At the ceremony McLeod received a certificate signed by President Biden, as well as a congratulatory letter signed by Biden and an official pin and medallion.
Also on stage were Pilate’s husband, Felton Pilate, a musician and record produced and a former member of R&B and funk band Con Funk Shun; Heather Kasten, president and CEO of the Sarasota Greater Chamber of Commerce, Kathy Silverberg, vice chair of Senior Friendship Centers' board of governors; and McLeod's parents, Wes Estey and Dora Mae Estey.
Wes Estey placed the medallion around McLeod's neck, while Dora Mae Estey placed the lapel pin on McLeon and Felton Pilate presented her with the award and letter.
The other attendees on stage also offered speeches.
“It is fitting that Erin has found her niche in an organization that includes the word friendship in its name," said Silverberg. "She is the epitome of a friend, one who lifts up all around her, who exudes joy in all that she does, and who leads with a clear vision of enriching lives."
