Open Mic

Frank Calvert and his wife have devoted their retirement years to serving The Salvation Army. Because of this selfless act, The Stayton at Museum Way senior living community is recognizing Frank Calvert as the fourth recipient of the 2010 Stayton Salute to Seniors Award.  Denise Gibson, volunteer coordinator for The Salvation Army, nominated Calvert for the honor.

“Frank and his wife have volunteered with The Salvation Army for years, responding to eight hurricanes and countless fires, tornadoes, floods and other natural disasters,” said Gibson.  “A few years ago, they spent their wedding anniversary volunteering, and then this past June 30th they spent their 48th anniversary preparing for Hurricane Alex. They are truly exceptional volunteers.”

The Stayton 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.

“Frank Calvert and his wife serve The Salvation Army as a team and have done so for quite some time,” said Kerri Lambert, director of sales and marketing of The Stayton.  “It is truly special that they choose to spend their time together serving others.”

Calvert and his wife started working with The Salvation Army in Daytona Beach helping serve food on Thanksgiving and Christmas as well as with the bell ringing campaign. When they got to Fort Worth seven or eight years ago, they got involved with the Angel Tree program and inquired about helping with disaster.

Today, they now drive a canteen unit serving at disasters around the country. Calvert and his wife always serve together. Their motto is that as long as they’re together they don’t worry about it.

“There’s such a need out there,” said Calvert.  “We are so blessed that we can volunteer and we don’t have to work all the time. We do it because we love it. It keeps you young.”

Currently, Calvert is the coordinator for The Salvation Army’s bell ringing campaign, which keeps him especially busy during the holiday season. When they are not volunteering, Calvert and his wife enjoy spending time with their two children and four grandchildren.

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. The Salvation Army DFW Metroplex Command serves five counties: Dallas, Tarrant, Collin, Denton and Ellis. They care for the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, love the unlovable and befriend the friendless. For more information visit www.uss.salvationarmy.org.

ABOUT THE STAYTON AT MUSEUM WAY

The Stayton at Museum Way, a $164 million senior living community now under construction in Fort Worth’s Cultural District, will be an 11-story, three building community featuring 188 independent living residences with a variety of spacious one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans. The Stayton will provide onsite assisted living, memory support, and private skilled nursing for life care residents and others in the community.

The Stayton at Museum Way 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, Edgemere in Dallas, Querencia at Barton Creek in Austin, and Mirador under construction in Corpus Christi. For information call (817) 439-6936 or visit www.thestayton.com.