Center in the Park (CIP) and The National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) announces the selection of Dr. Edward Chun, a resident of Germantown, for a MetLife Foundation Older Volunteers Enrich America Award. Administered by n4a, the national program celebrates outstanding older volunteers and their contributions to their communities. Dr. Edward Chun is a Community Champion Silver Honoree for his work with the Center in the Park Senior Environment Corps (CIP/SEC).

Edward Chun, Ph. D, a Harvard graduate in Physical Chemistry and retired senior research biochemist, has been an active member of the Center in the Park Senior Environment Corps (CIP/SEC) since its inception, ten years ago.

Dr. Edward Chun

A resident of the Germantown community, Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Chun plays an integral role in the outworking of the environmental goals and objectives of the CIP/SEC, which monitors water quality in the local watersheds in association with the Environmental Alliance for Senior Involvement. A recent documentary featuring Dr. Chun and the members of the Corps, "Knee Deep" aired on public television stations across the nation and traces the Corps’ activity over the course of one year as it finds evidence of untreated sewage in the Monoshone Creek. By bringing this issue to the attention of the community and the Philadelphia Water Department, the CIP/SEC helped to create an interest in and impetus for eventual improvements made in the watershed.

The 28 award recipients, nominated by organizations and programs nationwide, will be honored during a ceremony on June 8, in Washington, D.C. Nominees were required to be age 50 years or older and to have volunteered for the program or organization for at least one year.

Members of the Older Volunteers Enrich America Awards Blue Ribbon Panel and Advisory Board made award selections in three categories. Team Spirit Awards honor older volunteers who assist other older adults; Mentor Awards recognize older volunteers who work with young people and their families; and Community Champion Awards recognize those who use their time and talent to make their community a better place to live. Dr. Chun will receive an engraved gift celebrating his achievement, and CIP/SEC will receive a monetary award to further its work.

Center in the Park is a community center that promotes positive aging and fosters community connections for older adults in Northwest Philadelphia, whose voices are critical instruments in shaping its activities and direction. CIP is accredited by the National Institute of Senior Centers, a unit of the National Council on Aging as a provider of excellent programs, activities and services for its active membership of more than 5,000 and its 1,000 homebound clients.