COLUMBUS — The Ohio Department of Aging, the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging and members of the Ohio General Assembly inducted Paul R. and Vera M. Allen, of Xenia, and six other accomplished and caring older Ohioans from around the state into the Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame during a ceremony, May 18, in the Statehouse Atrium in Columbus.

“Older Ohioans have a lifetime of accomplishments and experiences that not only make them our elders, but also position them to be leaders and contributors in their communities,” said Stephanie M. Loucka, director of the department. “Mr. and Mrs. Allen have freely given their love and their home to area children, giving them hope when nobody else could, and helping to address some of their communities’ toughest issues.”

Mr. and Mrs. Allen welcome everybody they meet with open arms and huge hearts. For 30 years, they were foster parents to more than 100 children, adopting seven of them along the way. Combined with one child of their own, their legacy is now spread across the United States, sharing the love and hope that the Allens showed them.

The Ohio Senior Citizens Hall of Fame honors Ohioans for outstanding contributions to their professions, their vocations or their communities after age 60. This year’s inductees range in age from 64 to 100. Their stories are compelling and represent a lifetime of dedication, ingenuity, perseverance, kindness and compassion. More than 450 individuals have been inducted into the hall since 1977.

Photos and brief biographies of the inductees are available at www.aging.ohio.gov.