6 Over 60

The recipients of the inaugural 6 over 60 award were honored with a luncheon Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center. Pictured front row, left to right are Mary Nettles, Diana Hales and Marylou Mackintosh. Back row, left to right, are George Greger-Holt and the Rev. Dr. Carl Thompson Sr. Not pictured is Genevieve Megginson.

The North Carolina State Demographer’s Office indicated that in 2022, Chatham County was home to the 10th-highest percentage of population over the age of 65 among 100 North Carolina counties.

With explosive growth on tap in Chatham, that number only stands to increase exponentially in the coming years. For the county to realize its full potential, the 28% of its residents which fall into that category will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping its future.

Given that age does not have to be a limiting factor in authoring a meaningful contribution to the cultural, civic and community discourse, the Chatham County Council on Aging and the Chatham News + Record are partnering to recognize the best of these efforts with the “6 over 60” award.

Nominated by the public and identified by a five-member selection committee, six award winners will be selected annually. The February awards luncheon will be the culmination of “We Love Seniors” month in Chatham County, a month-long celebration of older adults that is unique to Chatham.

For the 2024 class, nominees must be 60 years of age or older – the initial age of entry into Council on Aging services –  as of Jan. 1, 2024. They must have made, or continue to make, meritorious contributions to Chatham County. Award winners must live in Chatham County, or have spent the majority of their life and career in Chatham. Candidates who are not selected are automatically rolled over to the next year for consideration unless they request to be removed.

The selection committee will consider, in no particular order, the number of nominations an individual receives as well as the merit and quality of their work in the Chatham County community. Current employees of the Council on Aging and the News + Record will not be eligible for the award.

Nominations are accepted throughout the year, and there are three ways to nominate a candidate:

1) Through mail to the Chatham County Council on Aging at 365 Highway 87 North, Pittsboro, NC 27312 "ATTN: 6 over 60"

2) Via email to Jimmy Lewis, COA Grants and Communications Specialist, at [email protected]

3) Via the 6 over 60 online portal, which can be located here.

Nominators should include their name and a method of contact.

For more information regarding the 6 over 60 program, contact Jimmy Lewis, Council on Aging Grants and Communications Specialist, at 919-542-4512 or email [email protected].

Read about the 2023 class in the announcement story from the Chatham News + Record here.