Westchester County is inviting residents to nominate a neighbor age 60 or older who has made a lasting mark on community life.

County Executive Ken Jenkins announced Monday, Aug. 10, that nominations are open for the 44th Annual Westchester County Senior Citizens Hall of Fame. The deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 9.

"I encourage residents to nominate seniors who inspire us all through their commitment to improving the lives of others," Jenkins said in the announcement.

The program, founded in 1983 during Westchester's 300th anniversary, honors residents who have improved life in the county through leadership, advocacy or professional work that addresses unmet community needs. Last year, 61 seniors were inducted at the 43rd annual ceremony.

Who qualifies

Nominees must be at least 60 years old, live in Westchester County and not be a past inductee. Each person or organization may submit only one nomination, and a separate form is required for each nominee.

A list of past honorees is available at seniorcitizens.westchestercountyny.gov, where nomination forms can also be downloaded.

Twenty percent of Westchester residents are 60 or older, according to the county's Department of Senior Programs and Services.

The ceremony

Inductees will be honored at a luncheon on Dec. 4 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Westchester Marriott Hotel in Tarrytown. The event is co-hosted by the Department of Senior Programs and Services, Westchester County Parks and the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services.

Sponsorship information is available through the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services at westchesterpartnership.org/hall-of-fame/.

How to nominate

Download a nomination form at seniorcitizens.westchestercountyny.gov and submit it by Sept. 9. For questions, contact Jill Sommer Stern at (914) 218-3968 or [email protected]. General information is available at (914) 813-6300.

The Sept. 9 deadline also applies to the county's separate Rosemarie Siragusa Memorial Youth Service Award, which honors adult volunteers who serve children and youth.