Perry Lutheran Homes Tenant and Board Member Honored by LeadingAge Iowa Awards

On Wednesday, August 7, two members of the Perry Lutheran Homes family were surprised with the news that they had won very special awards.

Dr. Randy ‘Doc’ McCaulley, has been awarded the 2024 Board Member of the Year Award by LeadingAge Iowa and Carmelite ‘Carm’ Staker, Spring Valley Campus tenant, awarded the 2024 Leading Life Award. LeadingAge Iowa is an association representing over 300 non-profit aging services providers across the state of Iowa, like Perry Lutheran Homes. Each provider has the opportunity to submit nominations for their prestigious awards. We are especially humbled and honored to have been selected for two awards.

Both award recipients will be honored at a statewide recognition ceremony during LeadingAge Iowa’s Leadership Symposium, September 11, at the Gateway Hotel & Conference Center in Ames. A community celebration, open to all, will take place in Perry at a date and time yet to be determined.

Randy McCaulley standing in center with family surrounding (L to R): daughter Katie Villalobos, wife Marsha McCaulley, and grandchildren Alonzo, Lael, Elli, and Tino

Randy McCaulley has served on the Perry Lutheran Homes board of directors for a total of 12 years. The Board Member of the Year award is bestowed on an individual who has served unselfishly and with distinction on the board of trustees of a LeadingAge Iowa member organization. The honoree will have contributed a significant amount of time and effort toward the betterment of his or her organization and to enrich the lives of older adults.

"Randy is a mentor to many, an encourager to all, and a faithful servant with a heart for older adults. He has no doubt helped Perry Lutheran Homes achieve goals and continue to fulfill its mission of Serving Christ by Serving Others far into the future," said Rev. Max Phillips, CEO of Perry Lutheran Homes.

Award nomination highlights for Randy McCaulley, Board Member of the Year Award include:

Dr. Randy McCaulley’s business expertise and community knowledge led to many decisions that helped paved the way for future success of Perry Lutheran Homes.

In 2012, Randy was serving in several volunteer and board capacities at Perry Lutheran Homes, yet felt the call to do even more. After a brief discussion, it became obvious that he could fill a need as Chief Administrative Officer. Randy spent several years in this position, modernizing, streamlining, bringing accountability, overseeing contracts, and being one of few executive contacts in the community with much of his time and effort donated.

In addition to Randy’s countless contributions to Perry Lutheran Homes, he has an even better heart and a caring soul. This can be seen in his music ministry where he finds great joy in spending hours performing for and visiting with older adults in Perry Lutheran Homes’s three care communities in addition to others across the state. And, you’ll find Randy volunteering at Perry Lutheran Homes community events throughout the year like “Project Deliver the Love” and the Spring Valley Tour of Homes and Wine Walk.

Carm Staker seated in center with family surrounding (L to R) niece Karol Godwin, daughter-in-law Dea Staker, son Jay Staker, niece Karen Sackett, and daughter Sandy Staker

Carm Staker has lived at Spring Valley Campus, an independent and assisted living community of Perry Lutheran Homes, since 2021. The Leading Life Award celebrates a resident or client of a LeadingAge Iowa member organization who has demonstrated an extraordinary attitude and level of resilience as they have grown older. The honoree transforms views on aging through their continued learning, engagement, and contributions. They inspire others to re-define their perspectives of “old” and to embrace aging, advocating for all to enjoy life no matter the age and setting an example for others to aspire to.

"As a social individual, Carm cherishes spending time with others, seizing each day with gratitude and a vibrant spirit. She loves to help plan activities at Spring Valley Campus, host events like fashion shows, and much more," shared Tonya Swank, Guest Experience Director & Assisted Living Coordinator, Tonya Swank.

Award nomination highlights for Carm Staker, Leading Life Award include:

Woven throughout Carmelite ‘Carm’ Staker’s vibrant life, is a consistent theme of helping others. At 96 years young, she continues to live her life as an outstanding example and with a deep passion for nursing, healthcare, education, community, faith, and food security.

At a young age, she demonstrated her commitment to her country and others serving as a nurse and member of the Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. At age 43, Carm earned her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, and at age 53, her Master’s degree proving that no matter your age, you can be a lifelong learner.

At one point in Carm’s 40-year nursing career, she witnessed children unable to focus on school because they were hungry. At age 82, Carm’s vision became a reality as she built the Hungry Kids Project with the help of others who cared. Now 10,000 weekend meals are distributed each year so that kids can return to school well-nourished and ready to learn. At age 86, she became a founding director of a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support students and teachers through Carm Staker Student Scholarships.

Carm is proof that age is merely a number, highlighting the wisdom, value, and ability for older adults to make impactful and world-changing contributions.

Perry Lutheran Homes has been the recipient of 13 LeadingAge Iowa awards since 2014, encompassing it's innovative CCDI memory care communities, excellence in leadership, caregiving, and the workplace, meaningful resident mission projects, Alzheimer's education, Project Deliver the Love community outreach event, and more.

About Perry Lutheran Homes

Perry Lutheran Homes is your locally owned and managed, Christian Caring Community serving Perry and surrounding communities for nearly 70 years. Perry Lutheran Homes offers innovative, personalized, Christ-centered living and care at three campuses in Perry, IA – Spring Valley Campus, King’s Gardens Campus, and Eden Acres Campus. Services include independent and assisted living, memory care, respite care, skilled nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, intermediate and long-term care, end-of-life care and meals on wheels.

About LeadingAge Iowa

LeadingAge Iowa’s mission is the voice, support, connector for non-profit members and the people they serve; its vision is to be the champion for advancement and innovation in aging services. LeadingAge Iowa represents a spectrum of non-profit providers including skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, home health, adult day care, respite, hospice and home-delivered meals.