Ware a voice for Georgia seniors

Octogenarian lobbies for elderly. He was recently honored for work on causes for aging.

While legislative activity flourishes underneath Georgia’s Gold Dome, octogenarian Charles “Chuck” Ware can be counted among the advocates shaking hands, attending meetings and pressing legislators on behalf of the state’s senior population.

Every day during the session, the 84-year-old will rise early from his Clayton County home, make the drive into Atlanta in time for breakfast at the Sloppy Floyd Building cafeteria, then settle in for a long day ahead. He’ll be there until the gavel bangs an end to the day.

For the past 20 years, Ware has been a volunteer lobbyist and staunch advocate for seniors, but in truth has been at the task since he was a boy growing up in Chicago.

Ware said his mother would give free hairdos to all the seniors in their neighborhood, then it was his job to escort them shopping afterward. He couldn’t receive any tips or other gifts for the service; it was all to be done out of kindness. His mother made sure of that, he said.

His rewards were the little gems of wisdom he gained by interacting with an older generation.

“I was always taught to cherish and respect my elders,” he said. Ware said the elders in his life were also a source of love and encouragement, and left an indelible mark on his life.

Ware was recently honored at the state Capitol with the Georgia Council on Aging Distinguished Older Georgian Award. He was nominated by Georgia STAND-UP, a nonprofit think tank for economic development. Ware organized and now supervises its seniors program.

Office manager Ernestine Faircloth calls Ware “a true advocate for seniors.” She met him several years ago when they were both lobbying at the Capitol.

“Being a senior myself, I had great interest in what he was able to do,” Faircloth said. “He’s done a lot to support senior programs.”

Kathy Floyd, executive director for the Georgia Council on Aging, said Ware has worked tireless- Charles “Chuck” Ware is a familiar face at the Georgia Capitol during the legislative session. He’s been lobbying for senior programs more than 20 years. Ware was given the Distinguished Older Georgian Award by the Georgia Council on Aging, and was honored during Senior Week at the Capitol. ly supporting funding for aging services, accessible housing, caregiver support and other causes for seniors.

“He is a remarkable advocate for seniors in Georgia,” she said. “He Kathy Floyd Executive director for the Georgia Council on Aging about Charles “Chuck” Ware really does do it to help others.”

And Ware is the biggest supporter for seniors in Clayton County, where he serves on the board of directors for Meals on Wheels, said Senior Services Director Tori Strawter-Tanks. “He’s definitely our biggest supporter. A true champion for seniors,” she said.

Over the past 20 years, Ware has served on countless committees and boards, both statewide and in his Clayton County community. He is a consummate volunteer for a host of organizations and causes, and has won numerous awards and honors for his service.

Faircloth said his support for senior causes is “unlimited,” and runs the gamut from Meals on Wheels to getting seniors out to vote on Election Day.

He has been an avid supporter of AARP for the past two decades, and that’s where he first learned how to lobby for legislation important to seniors.

Of the lobbying efforts he’s most proud is a House bill to protect the elderly from fraud and abuse. It was passed in 2013, and this session lawmakers are considering revisions to close some loopholes in the law. Ware keeps up with its progress during the session.

For this, and all other legislation that concerns seniors, Ware takes a lawmaker’s support personally. He’s not above asking legislators to “vote for my bill,” then check up on them to see how they voted.

He’s also quick to remind them that time doesn’t march backward. If not already, they, too, will one day be counted among the state’s senior population and may need the very services they are being asked to approve.

“I let them know that longevity is prevalent,” Ware said. “People are living longer now. You can’t stop progress.”