Award winners Frances Bergen and Harry Clayton (front). Seniors sway to the music at the annual Jamboree. Photos by Leslie Truluck

AVALON –– Seniors throughout the county navigated themselves to Avalon Community Hall May 9 to board the “Senior Sea Cruise,” this year’s theme for the annual Cape May County Senior Jamboree.

Seniors danced as Keith Hickman sang Jimmy Buffett songs. Wildwood Catholic and Middle Township High School students served lunch with food provided by the Crest Haven Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D-1st) greeted hundreds of attendees who packed the Avalon Community Hall for this annual event hosted by The Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Aging to celebrate Cape May County ’s senior citizens for Older American’s Month.

Each year two outstanding senior citizens are honored for positively contributing to the community. This year Harry Clayton, 77, of Avalon and Frances Bergen, 91, of Ocean City were named the 2008 Outstanding Seniors of the Year. Additionally, the Outstanding Organization of the Year award was given to Cape Regional Medical Center volunteers.

Freeholder Gerald Thornton, Director of Health and Human Services, and the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored Clayton and Bergen by plaques and by words.

“Frances is known for comforting her friends in time of need and is always willing to help and share with everyone. Her presence is a delight to all that have the pleasure of knowing her. She has shown the true spirit of volunteering by giving time for the good of others,” Thornton said.

Frances Branin Bergen, born in 1917 in Ocean City, married John Bergen in August of 1940 and traveled the world. Frances and her husband John, a Chief Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, have three children, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

Bergen is honored for her volunteer work with and passion for the Howard Stainton Senior Center in Ocean City. Through the years she has enjoyed planning activities, organizing fundraisers and she would decorate the hall, dress up the tables, and cook and serve meals to the guests at the Howard Stainton Senior Center.

Harry M. Clayton of Avalon was honored as the outstanding male senior for 2008. Clay-ton, born in Philadelphia, Pa. in 1931 moved to Avalon in 1942 with his wife Marlene. The Claytons have five children, 14 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Clayton’s hobbies include kayaking and bird watching. He is a veteran of the United States Army and retired from the Avalon Fire Company and is a lifetime member of the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association. He has contributed to the community by serving as the School Board President, Construction Officer and Fire Inspector and he is a member of the Habitat for Humanity and the County Construction Board of Appeals.

He currently inspects progress on the borough’s construction of a new Public Safety Complex on Dune Drive. He participates in the Avalon Senior Citizens Organization, of which he served as president from 2004-2006 and is currently on the Board of Directors.

“Most of the time when you volunteer, all you get is a smile and a thank you, and most of the time that’s enough. When you volunteer don’t put yourself first, put the job first,” Clayton said.

Volunteer Services Director Julie Paolella honored the Cape Regional Medical Center volunteers and said, “quality of life for seniors in this county wouldn’t be as good if not for these volunteers.”

Contact Truluck at (609) 886-8600 Ext 24 or at: ltruluck @cmcherald.com.