Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2021 

CONTACT: Bob Wheaton, 517-241-2112, wheatonb@michigan.gov

Michigan Senior Citizens of the Year recognized by MDHHS, Consumers Energy for service to their communities 

Residents of Ingham, Eaton counties receive honors 

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Aging & Adult Services Agency has presented its Senior Citizen of the Year Award to two older adults who have made significant contributions within their communities.

Dr. Brenda Surae Eaton of Lansing and Gloria Kovnot of Dimondale are this year’s recipients.

“The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is an opportunity to lift up and celebrate the contributions of older Michiganders,” said Dr. Alexis Travis, senior deputy director of the Aging & Adult Services Agency. “May is Older Americans Month, a time when we celebrate the strength of older adults and the aging network, with special emphasis on the power of connection and engagement in building strong communities.”

Eaton has volunteered in her community since retiring from Sparrow Health System in 2014. She volunteers with AARP Michigan, the Capitol Area Health Alliance, and her local food pantry. She is a member of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where she serves on its health ministry, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., where she is active on various committees. She chairs the Protect Michigan Commission seniors workgroup. Eaton was nominated by AARP.

Kovnot is founding member of the Delta Township Senior Council and serves as council co-chair. She also serves on the Tri-County Office on Aging Advisory Council, the AARP Age-Friendly Task Force and the MSU AgeAlive! Board. In 2020 she was a member of a committee that worked to pass Ingham County’s first senior millage request. Kovnot was nominated by the Tri County Office on Aging.

The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is a tradition dating back to 1974 celebrating older adults who have enhanced their communities through their active engagement, volunteerism and acts of service. The award is presented annually at Older Michiganians Day and is sponsored by Consumers Energy.

MDHHS sought nominations from aging network partners including the state’s area agencies on aging.

“Consumers Energy is committed to the Michigan communities we serve, and those communities are made even stronger by the contributions of Michigan residents like these award recipients who give their time and energy to benefit their neighbors and friends,” said Brian Lewis, executive director of customer operations for Consumers Energy. “By awarding two outstanding senior citizens of the year, we recognize their generosity and reinforce our shared belief that service is noble, rewarding and extremely valuable to the growth of our state its citizens.”

Older Michiganians Day is organized by Area Agencies on Aging Association of Michigan, a statewide association that advocates on behalf of Michigan’s older adults. The event traditionally takes place at the State Capitol. This year’s event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2021

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaims May 28 as Heat Stroke Prevention Awareness Day

LANSING, Mich. – Concerted efforts are being made in Michigan to increase public awareness on the dangers of heat stroke through exposure to high temperatures. As a result, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proclaiming May 28, 2021, as Heat Stroke Prevention Awareness Day.

Heat stroke occurs when the body overheats, usually due to exposure to high temperatures. Most heat stroke deaths in vehicles are among children age five and under, and more than half of those deaths are in children under the age of two. Since 1998, there have been at least 882 deaths of children in the United States, 10 of which were in Michigan.

“Studies show that incidents can occur on days even with mild temperatures such as 70 degrees, and the temperature in vehicles can become life-threatening very quickly,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). “Children are less able to maintain a consistent internal body temperature, and their bodies warm at a rate three to five times faster than an adult. Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if windows are cracked open.”

Heat-related deaths in vehicles are 100% preventable, and Michigan Penal Code prohibits a person responsible for the care or welfare of a child under age six unattended in a vehicle for a period of time which may risk harm or injury to the child.

The CDC recommends taking the following steps to avoid heat stroke and heat-related illnesses:

• Stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids, and stay away from very sugary or alcoholic drinks.
• Replace salt and minerals: heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from your skin. A sports drink can replace lost salt and minerals from sweating.
• Stay informed: check your local news for extreme heat alerts.
• Know the signs of heat-related illness.

MDHHS Injury and Violence Prevention Program will continue to collect data and monitor incidents of vehicle-related and heat stroke-related deaths in children.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, but finding the resources to deal with anxiety, depression, or any mental health issue isn’t an easy task. Throughout this pandemic, there’s been a focus on staying physically healthy, but we can’t forget that support for mental wellbeing is just as important.

May is Mental Health Month and we wanted to let you know about some free mental health resources that are available to you. 

Virtual support groups

Mental health professionals from the state’s health department are running free, online support groups. You can join a group of your peers from the comfort of your own home. There are groups specifically for teens, older adults, parents, educators, frontline workers and those using substances to cope with pandemic stress. Click here to learn more and register to join.

Get connected with a Mental Health Center in your community

You can find more information about community health centers near you by visiting this page.

Help is a phone call (or text) away

The state of Michigan runs several hotlines for people dealing with different kinds of mental health struggles:

• To talk with someone about distress caused by the pandemic, call 1-888-535-6136 and press “8”
• If you are living with serious mental illness or substance use challenges and feel it will help lower your stress if you talk with someone who understands these issues, call 888-733-7753.
• If you or someone you know is struggling, get help from the national suicide prevention lifeline at: 1-800-273-8255
• If you are experiencing emotional stress and anxiety but are more comfortable texting than talking, get help from the Michigan Crisis Text Line by texting the keyword RESTORE to 741741.

Looking for more resources? Check out all of the mental health resources the state has to offer — there’s everything from webinars for those experiencing burnout or unemployment to videos for folks experiencing conflict at home.

This pandemic has taken a heavy toll when it comes to mental health and it’s never been more important to reduce the stigma around this kind of care and to share resources that can help. If you or a loved one is struggling, there is help.

-Office of Rep. Slotkin