One local man has made volunteering a second career, having dedicated more than 50 years to serving others. Because of this selfless devotion, Edgemere senior living community is recognizing Marshall Surratt as the second recipient of the 2010 Edgemere Salute to Seniors Award. Brenda Finch, president of the Park Cities Lions Club, nominated Surratt for the honor.
“Mr. Surratt is one of the most dedicated members of the Park Cities Lions Club I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing,” said Finch. “He lives and breathes the values of our organization, and there was no hesitation when choosing him for this award.”
The Edgemere Salute to Seniors Award is presented quarterly to honor an individual who is making a difference in their community. Qualified nominees are active adults age 62 and above who volunteer their time and talents to their communities, and who also exemplify leadership, spirit, and citizenship.
“Mr. Surratt is an example that there is no age limit when it comes to volunteering,” said Tori Mallad, director of sales and marketing at Edgemere. “He has touched countless lives and shows no sign of slowing down. His energy and big heart is inspiring to us all.”
At 86, Surratt, continues to do work as a real estate broker. His involvement with the Lions Club began in 1959 in Midland, Texas, and he has also served in chapters in Fort Worth as well as Dallas. One of his fondest memories of volunteering with the Park Cities Lions Club involve this past year’s fundraising efforts for Camp Burnett, a local camp owned by the chapter which is used to host various children’s camps. Surratt played a big role in helping to raise $6,500 for the camp.
“I hope to inspire others to volunteer, which from my own experiences only makes one’s life more fulfilling,” said Surratt. “It’s good for everyone, from a local level to an international level. In my retirement years, volunteering with the Lions Club has kept me feeling young and in touch with the local community.”
Surratt currently resides in Dallas, and is a longtime member of the First Baptist Church. He enjoys daily workouts and spending time with his two children and five grandchildren.
Edgemere recently partnered with the Park Cities Lions Club to serve as a public drop off location to collect unused eyewear. The senior living community collected 108 pairs of donated eyeglasses, which will be distributed to developing countries where they will have the greatest impact.
The Park Cities Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, with over 45,000 clubs and more than 1.3 million members worldwide. It’s comprised of active men and women who volunteer their time to help serve their communities through a variety of projects, including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.
ABOUT EDGEMERE
With 304 independent living apartment homes, 60 assisted living suites, 31 memory care private apartments, and 72 private rooms for dignified skilled nursing, Edgemere is the largest and most comprehensive life care senior living community in Dallas. The community is located in the Preston Hollow/Park Cities area at 8523 Thackery Street at Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225. The Plaza Health Services at Edgemere, located on the same campus at 8502 Edgemere Road at Northwest Highway, offers assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support services for Edgemere life care residents, as well as for others in the community.
Edgemere is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit senior living community sponsored by Senior Quality Lifestyles Corporation (SQLC), a Texas-based nonprofit organization that sponsors sister communities The Buckingham in Houston, Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, The Stayton at Museum Way under construction in Fort Worth, and Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi. For information, visit www.edgemeredallas.com, or call (469) 619-0825.
Photo by Ashley Wessel (left to right):
Tori Mallad, director of sales and marketing, Edgemere; Marshall Surratt, Edgemere Salute to Seniors Award recipient; Brenda Finch, president, Park Cities Lions Club; John Falldine, managing director; Edgemere
