News
Family Fun!
A wonderful time was had by the over 400 residents, staff, family and friends of St. John Specialty Care Center who attended the annual Family and Friends Fun Day in June. Some of the entertainment included Joe the Juggler, Carmen the DJ and Sparky the Firedog. Door prizes were awarded, face painting was done by Karen Russell, executive director at St. John, and the Lutheran Senior Life Foundation gave small potted plants to those in attendance.
Dick Miller, Joan Fichter, Cathy Reid
Ron and Sharon Keron, Sparky the Firedog provided by Callery Fire Department
Fishing Trip
Several residents had the chance recently to go on a fishing trip, hosted by Ruth Pfeifer, volunteer coordinator at St. John. Good times were had by all! Pictured in the back row from left to right are Ed Pfeifer, Jr., Ruth Pfeifer, Clayton and Amanda Pfeifer, Teri Fleisher. Front row from left to right are Fred McKnight, Lee Kummer, Devon Kuhn and Bob Laythe.
St. John Residents Welcome Summer
Residents at St. John Specialty Care Center were decked out in their finest luau outfits for the 3rd annual Resident Fashion Show. This year's theme, Tropical Breezes, was just what the residents needed to welcome summer.
The models were introduced by the show's emcee, Ruth Pfeifer, Volunteer Coordinator at St. John. Each was adorned with a lei, and Pfeifer artfully described their attire as they paraded down the 'runway' in Vesper Hall, with other residents, family members and staff there to enjoy the show. All the ladies smiled and waved, and the gentlemen tipped their hats at those in attendance.
"It's so nice to see every table full," Pfeifer said. "This is really an enjoyable day for residents and families."
The show was coordinated in conjunction with members of the local chapter of LeadersNow International, a nonprofit organization that provides leadership training to young women in grades 7 through 12. The group is actively involved in several volunteer activities at St. John.
"The projects and services that they have provided to St. John out of the kindness of their hearts have been outstanding," Pfeifer said.
Following the show, refreshments were served and gift baskets, donated by LeadersNow were raffled off. The residents, especially the models, enjoyed the afternoon tremendously. One model, Shirley Hahn, who Pfeifer described as the "Queen Bee" of the group, expressed her appreciation for the activities provided by the staff. "I am so happy to be here at St. John. There are really wonderful people here."
Kelly Gagnon, Lee Kummer, Brenna Gallagher
Brittany Budder, Edith McCaul
Synod Assembly
Lutheran SeniorLife was a participant at the Assembly of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America on June 17-19 at Thiel College in Greenville, PA. This year's assembly theme was "Global Mission."
David Fenoglietto, CEO of Lutheran SeniorLife,
Pastor Sandra Kessinger, Pastor Margaret Suhr-Barkley.
LIFE Beaver County Helps Military Friends Abroad
The staff and participants at LIFE Beaver County are helping military personnel serving the U.S. in countries abroad stretch their dollars for living expenses. In a project coordinated by the activities staff, staff and participants bring in any unused coupons for items such as toiletries and food. The coupons are sent to the troops overseas so that military personnel can use them at the commissary.
The activities department at LIFE Beaver recently received a thank you letter with some receipts attached to demonstrate their savings and the value of the program. One person saved $33.20 on a bill of $307.06. Others saved $4 and $10 on their bills.
The U. S. Army troops wrote:
Dear friends from LIFE Beaver County:
Thank you so much for your recurrent contribution to the successful Coupon Program here in Storck arracks, Illesheim. Some very excited participants have been willing to share their savings experience with other service members to demonstrate that the Coupon Program is truly worth it. Attached are receipts proving how much a family can possibly save by using these much appreciated and extremely valuable coupons.
Thank you again for your hard work. We look forward to your continued support.
Respectfully,
Glorimar Gonzalez-Alamo, Eugene Perillo & Monica Hawkins
Coupon Program Coordinators, Storck Barracks, Illesheim, Germany
Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards - An Evening to Remember
Lutheran SeniorLife's Seventh Annual Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards Dinner on April 30 at the East Club Lounge, Heinz Field was an overwhelming success. Tom Grealish, Master of Ceremonies and Gala Chairman, welcomed more than 400 friends of Lutheran SeniorLife who attended the celebration of the spirit and vitality of elders in western Pennsylvania. The evening was sparked by tributes to Steve Blass and Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies.
The mood and pace of the evening were wonderful as laughter, excellent food and great camaraderie filled the East Club Lounge. Steve Blass entertained us with his stories of former Pirate teammates, Manny Sanguillen and Roberto Clemente. Wally Amos shared some of his recipes for a successful life through the reading of some children's stories. The Carrot Seed illustrates the importance of faith and conviction in accomplishing one's goals and objectives. And, The Crayon Box That Talked demonstrates love for others and how teamwork leads to success.
The silent auction featured more than 70 items including original works of art created by residents at Passavant Retirement Community's Center for Creative Expression, friends and employees of Lutheran SeniorLife. Unique items that were vied for included: the Pittsburgh Penguins President's Box at the new Consol Energy Center, four Lexus Club Pirates tickets, original works of art, an elegant hors' d'oeuvres party, a Pete Dye Golf Club package and four Steelers Home Game tickets. Matching funds for the silent auction were provided by Thrivent Financial.
Henderson Brothers Inc. and the George H., Lillian S. and Mary S. Campbell Foundation were Signature Co-Sponsors. Gold and Silver sponsors included: Allegheny Construction Group Inc., Eastern Insurance Holdings Inc., the Evans Family, Morrison Senior Dining, NexTier Bank, United States Steel Corporation, BNY Mellon, Burstin Burstin & Frantz, Butler Health System, Daniel R. Delaney and Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC, First English Lutheran Church Pittsburgh, Focus Marketing Support Services, Heritage Valley Health System, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, ParenteBeard LLC, PNC Wealth Management, Reed Smith LLP, and Trib Total Media. Lutheran SeniorLife extends its appreciation to everyone who supported the Excellence is Ageless Gala and Awards.
The event raised more than $171,000 which will be used toward benevolent care and services at Lutheran SeniorLife.
Message from the President
Our Excellence is Ageless Gala held at Heinz Field was a resounding success as we celebrated the gifts of older adults and highlighted specific examples where excellence is indeed ageless. Our local honoree, Steve Blass, Pirate World Series pitcher and Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos cookies described their careers before over 400 friends and supporters of the programs and services of Lutheran SeniorLife. Our guests were treated to Famous Amos cookies in addition to fellowship and a festive evening with friends.
From our viewpoint, older adults bring wisdom and insight into our lives each day and at Lutheran SeniorLife, we cultivate and advance the principles of Abundant Life so that each person whom we serve can live their life to the fullest. Abundant Life at Lutheran SeniorLife reminds me, in part, of this year's theme for Older American's Month - Age Strong! Age Long! As Americans are living longer, many remain active and engaged in areas that bring interest to each person.
To age strong and age long can be seen from the stories within this issue of AbundantLife like a pajama party at the Commons at Stonebrook Village in Warrendale, or the volunteer appreciation luncheon held with Jack Bogut, an awardee at the 2007 Excellence is Ageless Gala. In all of the stories, our mission together is about our residents and we remain especially grateful for the support of many and for allowing us to tell the uplifting and the heartfelt stories of the people we serve. These stories evoke the ministry that we are and the services that we provide.
Thank you for supporting Lutheran SeniorLife throughout the year and our 2010 Excellence is Ageless Gala. And thank you for embracing aging as a part of the fulfilling process of the life cycle.
LIFE Beaver County Participants Meet Charlie Batch
Three LIFE Beaver County participants were recently invited to Sunnyview Nursing Home in Butler to meet Pittsburgh Steeler Charlie Batch. Richard Birckbichler (left), Ernest Buck (center), and Bob Ealy (right), all huge Steeler fans, brought along Steeler tote bags provided by LIFE for Batch to autograph.
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