RALEIGH – The recipient of the 2004 George L. Maddox Award is North Carolina Senior Games, Inc.  The  award was presented by the North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS), on Tuesday, Oct. 19, in Research Triangle Park during the joint conference between the Southeastern Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the North Carolina Conference on Aging. 

The Maddox Award is presented each year to individuals, organizations or communities that have excelled in meeting the needs of older citizens in the state. Dr. Maddox currently directs Duke University’s Long Term Care Resources Program.  The Maddox Award is presented each year for excellence in developing and implementing creative programs for older adults.

“In an era of limited fiscal resources, North Carolina Senior Games has leveraged resources in a impressive fashion by developing partnerships with a broad array of public and private agencies and organizations,” said Karen Gottovi, director of DAAS. 

Senior Games is recognized as the premier program of its type in the country, not only because of the size and scope of the program put because it is effective in making a difference in the health and wellness of participants.  Research of the program has shown that participants report that Senior Games motivates them to maintain a regular fitness program and once they participate in Senior Games, they are likely to remain in the program because of the benefits of fellowship, friends, health, fun and (lastly) competition.