LeadingAge Georgia Honors Lenbrook Resident Charles Mote With Profile of Positive Aging Award


Charles Mote, a retired Air Force officer and business consultant and resident of Lenbrook in Buckhead, was among 18 dynamic elders from greater Atlanta to be honored recently by LeadingAge Georgia for exemplifying a positive aging lifestyle and flourishing in all the dimensions of wellness.

Mote accepted his “Profile of Positive Aging” award at the 4th Annual Awards gala sponsored by LeadingAge Georgia and its educational division The Georgia Institute on Aging. LeadingAge also recognized John Scheurholz, President of the Atlanta Braves, at the gala, naming Scheurholz the 2014 Positive Aging Icon Image Award winner.

“This year we focused on the underpinning and foundation of successful aging — the eight dimensions of wellness,” said Jacque Thornton, senior vice president of LeadingAge Georgia. She noted the eight dimensions of wellness include: spiritual, physical, emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, social, and financial wellbeing. “Each of our honorees epitomize positive aging and we recognize their ability to harness the power of and balance these eight dimensions of wellbeing throughout their lives,” Thornton said.

Mote’s daily schedule tells the story of his active lifestyle and passion for being involved in multiple ventures. For several years now, Mote has actively supported his wife, Linda, in her volunteer work for Literacy Volunteers of Atlanta. Most recently, he volunteered full-time in tandem with Linda as board treasurer and business manager while Linda served as acting director. This past summer the Motes helped shepherd through a successful merger of LVA with Literacy Action so that adults and children alike can have access to literacy tutors and courses all from one organization. With the merger, he’s been able to free up some time from the administrative duties for other pursuits.

For example, some days you’ll find Mote in the woodworking shop at Lenbrook where he was instrumental in the shop’s design and in procuring its equipment, including the dust collection and air filtration systems and other critical safety equipment.

Other days he’s pursuing his love for steam-powered model trains and staging train exhibits along with fellow steam train enthusiasts so that people of all ages can get a glimpse of railroad history in action.

Mote is in high gear this holiday season, orchestrating Lenbrook’s annual Associate Appreciation Celebration in December. Four years ago, Mote organized the event and has, each year since, chaired the resident committee that oversees the event’s menus, logistics, and recruits some 100 resident volunteers. The residents host and serve two festive meals — breakfast and dinner — to accommodate and thank Lenbrook’s more than 275 associates for their exceptional kindness and service throughout the year .

“Growing up in a four-generation family, I learned the dignity of age and the responsibility to support others whenever the opportunity calls,” Mote said when asked what he views as important to positive aging.

“Charles’s expertise, commitment and dedication brings innumerable benefits to every organization he touches —  LVA, Lenbrook and so many others. He is one to keep everyone on their toes and moving forward in positive ways,” said Chris Keysor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lenbrook. “The world is a brighter place thanks to the caring service of Charles Mote,” Keysor said.