Uncategorized Archives - Westminster Communities of Florida

Westminster Suncoast Hosts “Groovy” Celebration To Mark 70 Years Of Serving Older Adults

Posted on September 6, 2024September 6, 2024 by Westminster

With a groovy ’70s-themed party with tie-dyed shirts and a special letter of celebration provided by St. Petersburg Commissioner Deborah Figgs-Sanders, on Thursday Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida celebrated the organization’s 70th anniversary of serving older adults with more than 200 attendees and guests.

The organization was first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida. It began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.

At the same time Westminster Suncoast is also celebrating the 60th anniversary of its founding in 1964 as Suncoast Manor Retirement Community. The community, Westminster’s sixth Life Plan Community, serves more than 300 residents in St. Petersburg’s beautiful Pinellas Point, with a gated campus of manicured courtyards and villa homes.

The party featured a tie-dyed homage to the 1970s in celebration of the organization’s 70th anniversary, including live entertainment by the Bus Stop Band playing songs from the ’70s, guests dressed in tie-dye from head to toe, a history exhibit, bodacious food served in Crock-Pots and on portable griddles, and even a costume contest with lava lamps as prizes.

Tom Rockenbach, Executive Director, thanked the attendees with a word of welcome. “Westminster Suncoast is an amazing community. It’s rare to find such a diverse group of people living in such a harmonious and welcoming environment,” Rockenbach said. “We embody a family relationship engaging team members, residents and family members in the warmth of a true community.”

“While we are celebrating Westminster’s anniversary today, we are also celebrating another important milestone: That is your Westminster Suncoast 60th anniversary as well,” said Chief Operating Officer Garry Hennis. “Our organization and our communities have changed a lot over the last 70 years, but we have always remained committed to our mission of service to older adults.”

Hennis added, with a gesture to the many guests wearing custom-made T-shirts: “And boy, I haven’t seen tie-dye look so good since I was a kid!”

Commissioner Deborah Figg-Sanders represented the City of St. Petersburg and Mayor Kenneth Welch for the occasion, and brought a letter of congratulations. “I wish Westminster Suncoast and Westminster Communities of Florida a happy anniversary and wish you the best of success,” Sanders said, on behalf of Mayor Welch.

A highlight of the event was the costume contest, with four very thematically appropriate lava lamps awarded to the winners.

Guests enjoyed a toast to Westminster Suncoast’s 60th anniversary, and after the ceremonies, residents, future residents and team members enjoyed an afternoon of live music and dancing by the Bus Stop Band, and a variety of delicious treats provided by the Westminster Suncoast Dining Services team, from molded jelly to cocktail meatballs.

Fitch Rates Westminster Communities of Florida Bonds ‘A-’ with Stable Outlook

Posted on August 9, 2024August 9, 2024 by Westminster

Orlando, August 8, 2024 – Westminster Communities of Florida is proud to announce that Fitch Ratings has assigned an ‘A-’ rating with a stable outlook to its 2024 series of bonds.

The rating reflects the strong financial performance and robust operational strategies of our organization. An investment-grade, ‘A-’ rating is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality communities and services, ensuring financial stability and operational excellence.

The stable outlook from Fitch Ratings indicates confidence in our ongoing financial health and our ability to meet the needs of residents now and in the future. This achievement is particularly significant as it demonstrates our resilience and strategic planning in the current economic environment.

Westminster Communities of Florida continues to focus on enhancing the lives of residents through our Mission: “We serve from the heart and inspire older adults to enjoy happy, healthy and purposeful lives.” Our Life Plan Communities offer a fulfilling lifestyle that supports the well-being and independence of residents. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by residents and their families.

For more information about Westminster Communities of Florida and our services, please visit us at WestminsterCommunitiesFL.org.

Contact: Wes Meltzer, Director of Marketing and Communications, [email protected] or 321-438-8751.

About Westminster Communities of Florida: Westminster Communities of Florida serves more than 7,000 residents in 23 active senior living communities around Florida who are in search of an enlightened, fully integrated, person-centered approach to health and wellness. Since 1954, we’ve been Florida’s best choice in active senior living.

Westminster Shores Celebrates 70 Years Of History: ‘Let’s Go Cruising’

Posted on July 24, 2024July 24, 2024 by Westminster

ST. PETERSBURG, July 24, 2024 – With team members dressed in cruise-themed hats, shirts and white slacks, a special commemoration by St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, Westminster Communities of Florida celebrated its 70th anniversary of serving older adults with more than 200 attendees and guests at Westminster Shores.

The organization, first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida, began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Westminster Shores was also founded in 1954 as Sunny Shores Villas, set along the idyllic shores of Little Bayou in St. Petersburg’s Bahama Shores neighborhood, and joined the organization in 1990. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.

The party featured “ports of call” in Bermuda, The Bahamas, Jamaica and Belize, with themed food from the Westminster Shores Dining Services team, a steel drum band, and a photo booth with real strips of printed photos.

Janet Herron, Executive Director of Westminster Shores, thanked the attendees with a word of welcome. “The residents and future residents are the heart of what we do here at Westminster Shores,” she said. “I am very grateful to be celebrating this anniversary today. We have residents of all backgrounds and experiences, and a very active and engaged group of residents, to be here with at today’s celebration.”

“Today we are really commemorating the growth of our Mission,” said Chief Executive Officer Terry Rogers. “We have never slowed down, as we have grown and served more than older adults. This event is all about celebrating history, but we are also celebrating the residents. Thank you for being here today. You are what makes Westminster special!”

Mayor Welch presented a certificate of congratulations and celebrated the community’s history and long partnership with the City of St. Petersburg. “This community has similar values to the city, in caring for everyone at every stage of their lives,” Welch said. “Congratulations on celebrating 70 years today.”

Following the ceremony, residents, future residents and team members enjoyed an afternoon of live music and entertainment, special food and drink in the community’s Alta Marina restaurant and lounge, and even an exhibit on the history of Westminster Shores.

Westminster Communities of Florida, the state’s largest not-for-profit provider of active senior living, emphasizes whole-person wellbeing for its older adult residents. With communities in Bradenton, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and Winter Park, the organization serves more than 7,000 residents statewide with a lifestyle featuring active living, wellness and lifelong learning.