Congratulations to the Community Champion Award winner

The Community Champion Award by Mom’s Meals^® and USAging recognized Christy Harasimowicz from Otsego County Office for the Aging.

The award was announced by John Phillips, vice president of business development at Mom’s Meals on July 20, 2025, at the USAging Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. Christy could not attend the awards ceremony.

Tamie Reed, director of the Otsego County Office for the Aging in Cooperstown, New York, nominated Christy. Tamie shared that Christy is one of the best employees she has ever worked with. “Christy makes every effort to assist her clients and is meticulous in helping them step-by-step to ensure a process is successfully completed. She never cuts corners, never takes the easy way out and goes the extra mile. Christy is thoughtful about her interactions and has built strong, respected relationships with her clients, always valuing their wishes and helping them navigate the steps necessary to fulfill their needs. She truly lives and practices person-centered care each and every day.”

Tamie adds that she has received many compliments and words of praise from members of the public, expressing their deep appreciation for the time, attention and knowledge that Christy has provided them in dealing with their personal situations.

About the award

Five years ago, the Community Champion Award was founded to recognize case managers.

The Community Champion Award program is designed to:

• Highlight outstanding achievements by Area Agency on Aging and Title VI Native American Aging Program case managers in the areas of nutrition, health and healthy lifestyles
• Celebrate case managers who are doing outstanding work in their local communities
• Underscore the value of the case manager’s role in supporting the whole health of our communities
• Promote awareness of the importance of nutrition in overall health, particularly to reduce the impact of social determinants, to support individuals who want to age in their homes, and to support the management of chronic conditions

Congratulations again to Christy and to all the nominees!

Want to learn more?

Discover more about the Community Champion Award as well as more on this year’s winner, past winners and case manager nomination information.