The Gary and Mary West Foundation Receives Generations United Leadership Award for Outstanding Support of Intergenerational Programs

SAN DIEGO and HONOLULU, July 23, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington, D.C.-based Generations United proudly announced today that the Gary and Mary West Foundation of Solana Beach, CA is the recipient of the Generations United Leadership Award for Outstanding Support of Intergenerational Programs. This award, given today at the Intergenerational Action on a Global Scale conference in Honolulu, HI, honors a funder whose support has led to significant advances in the intergenerational field.

"We are honored to present the Gary and Mary West Foundation with the Generations United Leadership Award for Outstanding Support of Intergenerational Programs," said Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United. "The foundation has been particularly instrumental in supporting the development of intergenerational programs in San Diego, such as Serving Seniors through the creation of their flagship Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center, which has been recognized internationally as a model for successful aging."

The Gary and Mary West Foundation was created in 2006 to make a significant impact on the quality of life in the community and in our country. Two of the foundation's central areas focus on improving the quality of life of low-income older adults and helping urban youth who are not going on to college find employment. Because of this intersection, the foundation has paid particular attention to funding a variety of intergenerational programming. The foundation is also focused on creating a healthcare delivery system that provides high-quality, more accessible care at a lower cost.

"This distinguished award honors the innovative and invaluable philanthropic support the Foundation has given to intergenerational programs over the years that build bridges between young and old individuals in San Diego County, valuing their unique strengths and contributions," said Shelley Lyford, president and CEO of the Gary and Mary West Foundation. "This recognition is a result of the unwavering commitment of Gary and Mary West – the hard work and dedication of our exceptional employees at the Foundation – and all of our grantees making successful aging a reality for seniors and their loved ones."

Other 2015 recipients of Generations United's leadership award are: Dr. Robert Putnam, Michelle Singletary, Dr. Matt Kaplan, Dr. Alan Lai, Family Education & Support Services of Olympia, WA, 'Iolani School, Sweet Readers, Elouise Frank, Taylor Hamai, Sandy Kraemer and Dr. Nancy Henkin.

Please click here to learn more about other award recipients.

About Generations United
For nearly three decades, Generations United www.gu.org has been the catalyst for policies and practices stimulating cooperation and collaboration among generations, evoking the vibrancy, energy and sheer productivity that result when people of all ages come together. We believe that we can only be successful in the face of our complex future if generational diversity is regarded as a national asset and fully leveraged.

About the Gary and Mary West Foundation
The Gary and Mary West Foundation is the second-largest private, 501(c)(3) non-operating foundation in San Diego, California and was established in 2006 by successful entrepreneurs and philanthropists Gary and Mary West. Their greatest passions are improving care for our nation's seniors, enabling them to age successfully and transforming high-quality healthcare delivery to make it more accessible and affordable for all Americans.

The Gary and Mary West Foundation funds nonprofit organizations primarily based in San Diego, California and Omaha, Nebraska with a proven record of achieving measurable and meaningful results. Grantees share Gary's and Mary's commitment to enabling seniors to live their lives on their own terms with access to high-quality healthcare and supportive services that preserve and protect one's dignity, quality of life and independence. We're passionate about creating a healthcare delivery system that provides high-quality, more accessible care at a lower cost.

We also support the deployment of service canines to seniors and disabled veterans of the Armed forces of the United States. By working with our grantees we are making a significant, positive impact on all seniors' lives. The Gary and Mary West Foundation develops high-impact partnerships with its nonprofit partners to make a significant impact for seniors and accepts grant applications by invitation only.

For more information, visit www.gmwf.org and follow us @GMWFoundation.

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SOURCE Gary and Mary West Foundation