There is a place in Denver that makes each day happier, healthier and safer for seniors.
Senior Support Services is a safety net for low income or homeless seniors and John Kottenstette is a huge asset to the program.
"Senior Support Services is a day shelter for hungry and homeless seniors," said Ted Pascoe, Exec. Dir., Senior Support Services.
The non-profit day shelter is located at 18th Avenue and Emerson Street in Denver.
Despite its small small kitchen it serves three nutritious meals each week day.
"We serve over 65,000 individual meals per year," said Pascoe.
It also provides seniors internet access, socialization, transportation, health screenings, and perhaps most important, help in navigating government systems, so seniors can receive the aid they qualify for.
"That's where this organization is helpful because it be an advocate for people when the system starts to fail," said Kottenstette.
Kottenstette was the manager at Senior Support Services for 13 years.
He retired 2013, and then continued working as a volunteer at the agency several days a week.
"Because if you care about these folks you just can't say: 'Too bad. I'm gone,'" said Kottenstette.
"The man has been a Godsend to me. Without him I probably couldn't get to the doctors or couldn't get to groceries. He goes out of his way to help me and other people. It's just unbelievable what the man does," said client Thomas Bossen.
Kottenstette is so knowledgeable Senior Support Services often assigns him the toughest cases. And clients ask for him specifically.
"He has a vast, encyclopedic memory about clients and about services available for clients," said Pascoe.
"The man knows everything in the world there is to know about seniors and how to help them," said Bossen.
Mitch Jelniker anchors 7NEWS Now in the mornings from 4:30 to 7 a.m. He also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on 7NEWS. Follow Mitch on Facebook and Twitter. Nominate a 7Everday Hero here: thedenverchannel.com/nominate-7everyday-hero.
