Citing her inspirational and ongoing commitment to the welfare of others, Meadow Ridge, a continuing care retirement community in Redding, Conn., has honored Nancy Pelz-Paget with its first-ever Heart of the Community Award. In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, the award recognizes Pelz-Paget for an impressive lifetime of community service and leadership.
Pelz-Paget is active within Meadow Ridge and the Redding community, serving as a founder and director of Enhancing Redding’s Future and dedicating time and resources to the Mark Twain Library. She helped establish the Redding Sentinel, the weekly publication dedicated to covering town news, and supports the BeFoundation, which seeks to improve educational outcomes in Connecticut.
Within Meadow Ridge, Pelz-Paget serves on several committees including the resident board, the health committee, the grounds committee, and the activities committee. She has spearheaded a number of efforts to help educate and empower residents in making healthcare decisions. Professionally, she worked in education and public policy holding leadership roles in public television and at the Aspen Institute.
Meadow Ridge, managed by Benchmark Senior Living, created the Heart of the Community Award to recognize the important role philanthropy plays in enriching lives and to showcase the impact one person can have, especially in their retirement years.
“Nancy has made an immeasurable difference in the communities where she has lived and worked, especially in the town of Redding,” said Benchmark Senior Living Chairman and CEO Tom Grape. “She demonstrates what it means to selflessly serve others and mirrors Benchmark’s core values — Called to Care, Better Together, and Be the Benchmark.”
“The way Nancy dedicates her time to others is nothing short of inspirational,” said Meadow Ridge Campus Executive Director Chris Barstein. “Her neighbors know they can look to her as a resource, an advocate, and—perhaps most importantly—a friend.”