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SOUTH SALT LAKE -- There are several award programs out there, including the Oscars and Emmy's, but for one ceremony, the award could be considered under the "Lifetime Achievement" category.
Doris King, 71, is a resident of one of the senior living centers operated by the Avalon Health Care Group. Every day after breakfast, lunch and dinner, King makes sure the pigeons, or her "kids," get fed.
America's senior citizens have experienced many incredible things during their lifetime, and so Avalon, knowing that there are many stories within its own properties, decided to recognize 14 people -- one resident from each of its Utah centers.
I made a list of things I wanted to do when I was younger and join the Peace Corps was one of them. Get married, finish my college education, have children -- I got all those things accomplished and then I joined the Peace Corps.
–Doris King
Hundreds filled the ballroom at Little America for a formal banquet, with video tributes of each of the honorees who were selected by the staff members at each of the centers. War heroes, a rodeo cowboy, artists and others were each presented an award, which was an emotional moment for some.
Administrators from each of the centers handed out the awards.
For Doris King, her life has certainly been one filed with helping others.
"I made a list of things I wanted to do when I was younger and join the Peace Corps was one of them," King said. "Get married, finish my college education, have children -- I got all those things accomplished and then I joined the Peace Corps."
King went to Africa when she was 47, making two trips. On her second trip, she made it in a wheelchair just after suffering a stroke.
"So I went back over to see if I could help them and they were very glad to have me there," she said. "And they were very helpful too."
Wheelchair or not, King certainly isn't alone. She hopes to skydive and live to be 100.
Email: kmccord@ksl.com
