MOUNT VERNON — On Aug. 5, Sam Ingraham of Mount Vernon was honored as Knox County’s Outstanding Senior Citizen by the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging. The district covers nine counties; the agency chose one award for each county.
Ingraham was recognized for his outstanding service and hard work, and dedication to the community. He volunteers at The Station Break, the Knox County Symphony and Hospice of Knox County.
“I was nominated [for the award] by Kelly Lybarger-Dewitt, who is director over at The Station Break,” Ingraham said. “It came as a major surprise to me. She had not told me about it.
“I guess it was about two months ago I received a letter. It said ‘You have been awarded this and Kelly nominated you.’ And it also said, ‘By the way, we are having a ceremony and want you to attend.’”
Lybarger-Dewitt said Ingraham was an easy choice.
“His volunteer work throughout the community and his work here at The Station Break was the biggest reason I nominated him,” she said. “He always has a good positive attitude. I just think he’s done a great job in our community and demonstrates just what a senior citizen can do.”
“Now, although I appreciate it, I know dozens of people far more eligible and qualified than I am,” Ingraham said. “I am active with The Station Break and have been with them for quite a while, and I heavily promote the thing if I can.”
Ingraham is also a charter member of the Knox County Task Force for Older Adults.
“I was asked to participate as the initial private citizen member as opposed to a business member,” he said. “I’ve continued that all along.”
Most of Ingraham’s work for the various organizations is of a financial nature. He makes contributions to them, and, in the case of the symphony, serves as the treasurer.
Ingraham is not originally from Knox County. In fact, he said he is from more than 40 places. His father was in the Army and as a result, he moved with his family numerous times. But Knox County is where he wants to stay.
“I am a military brat,” he said. “I’ve spent most of my life moving. I moved here in 1992 and I’ve been here ever since. This is the longest I’ve ever lived any place. When I moved here, it was my 47th move. My first move occurred when I was 7 months old. Dad had just entered the public health service and moved to Savannah, Ga.
“My coming here was an accident of sorts,” he explained. “My daughters were both living in Columbus at the time. My dad was living in south Jersey and my wife’s mother and family were in Racine, Wis. This was halfway in between. We settled here partly for that reason, and it’s been a good life. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The community here is wonderful. I’ve gotten involved in a number of things and it’s wonderful. I strongly recommend the place to anybody who wants to come.
“Most of my life was centered on the East Coast between Richmond, Virginia, and New York City,” he added. “I was born in Philadelphia, but that was incidental. I’ve lived as far west as Las Vegas. As far north as New Hampshire, as far south as Georgia and Alabama. And almost everywhere in between.”
