Two members of the Perry Lutheran Homes family received a surprise Wednesday when they learned they won very special awards from LeadingAge Iowa, an association representing some 300 nonprofit providers of aging services across Iowa, such as the Perry Lutheran Homes.
PLH Board of Directors member Dr. Randy “Doc” McCaulley was awarded the 2024 Board Member of the Year Award, and Spring Valley Campus tenant Carmelite “Carm” Staker received the 2024 Leading Life Award.
“We are especially humbled and honored to have been selected for two awards,” said the Rev. Max Phillips, CEO of the Perry Lutheran Homes.
All 300 providers could nominate someone for each of the prestigious awards. McCaulley and Staker will be honored Sept. 11 at the statewide recognition ceremony during LeadingAge Iowa’s Leadership Symposium at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames. A community celebration, open to all, will take place in Perry at a date and time yet to be determined.
McCaulley has served on the Perry Lutheran Homes board of directors for 12 years. The Board Member of the Year award is bestowed on an individual who has served unselfishly and with distinction on the board of trustees of a LeadingAge Iowa member organization.
The honoree will have contributed a significant amount of time and effort toward the betterment of his or her organization and to enrich the lives of older adults, duties that McCaulley has fully discharged, Phillips said.
“Randy is a mentor to many, an encourager to all and a faithful servant with a heart for older adults,” Phillips said. “He has no doubt helped Perry Lutheran Homes achieve goals and continue to fulfill its mission of Serving Christ by Serving Others far into the future.”
McCaulley’s business expertise and community knowledge led to many decisions that helped paved the way for future successes of the Perry Lutheran Homes. In 2012 he was serving in several volunteer and board capacities at the Perry Lutheran Homes, yet he felt the call to do even more.
After a brief discussion, it became obvious that McCaulley could fill the role of chief administrative officer, and he spent several years in the position, modernizing, streamlining, bringing accountability, overseeing contracts and being one of few executive contacts in the community with much of his time and effort donated.
In addition to his countless contributions to the Perry Lutheran Homes, McCaulley has an even better heart and a caring soul. This can be seen in his music ministry, where he finds great joy in spending hours performing for and visiting with older adults in the Perry Lutheran Homes’ three care communities in addition to others across the state.
You will also find him volunteering at the Perry Lutheran Homes’ community events throughout the year, such as Project Deliver the Love and the Spring Valley Tour of Homes and Wine Walk.
Carm Staker has lived at Spring Valley Campus, an independent and assisted living community of Perry Lutheran Homes, since 2021. The Leading Life Award celebrates a resident or client of a LeadingAge Iowa member organization who has demonstrated an extraordinary attitude and level of resilience as they have grown older.
The honoree transforms views on aging through their continued learning, engagement and contributions. They inspire others to redefine their perspectives of “old” and to embrace aging, advocating for all to enjoy life no matter the age and setting an example for others to emulate.
“As a social individual, Carm cherishes spending time with others, seizing each day with gratitude and a vibrant spirit,” said Guest Experience Director and Assisted Living Coordinator Tonya Swank. “She loves to help plan activities at Spring Valley Campus, host events like fashion shows and much more.”
Woven throughout Staker’s vibrant life is a consistent theme of helping others. At 96 years young, she continues to live her life as an outstanding example and with a deep passion for nursing, healthcare, education, community, faith and food security.
At a young age, she demonstrated her commitment to her country and others by serving as a nurse and member of the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. At age 43, Carm earned her bachelor of science degree in sociology, and 53 she got her master’s degree, proving that no matter your age, you can be a lifelong learner.
At one point in Carm’s 40-year nursing career, she witnessed children unable to focus on school because they were hungry. At age 82, Carm’s vision became a reality as she built the Hungry Kids Project with the help of others who cared. As a result, 10,000 weekend meals are now distributed each year so that kids can return to school well-nourished and ready to learn.
At age 86, Carm became a founding director of a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support students and teachers through Carm Staker Student Scholarships.
Carm is proof that age is merely a number, highlighting the wisdom, value and ability for older adults to make impactful and world-changing contributions.
The Perry Lutheran Homes has been the recipient of 13 LeadingAge Iowa awards since 2014, encompassing its innovative CCDI memory care communities, excellence in leadership, caregiving and the workplace, meaningful resident mission projects, Alzheimer’s education, Project Deliver the Love community outreach event and others.
Perry Lutheran Homes is your locally owned and managed, Christian Caring Community serving Perry and surrounding communities for nearly 70 years. Perry Lutheran Homes offers innovative, personalized, Christ-centered living and care at three campuses in Perry, IA – Spring Valley Campus, King’s Gardens Campus, and Eden Acres Campus. Services include independent and assisted living, memory care, respite care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, intermediate and long term care, end-of-life care and meals on wheels.
Mollie A. Clark is the director of marketing for the Perry Lutheran Homes.
