It’s time for us to turn the page on another year. At Westminster Communities of Florida, we’re thankful that 2022 was another amazing year! We enjoyed exciting new developments all across the state, plus great news to share, and a variety of other top news about the active lifestyle our residents and team members enjoy every day. Here are some of the most extraordinary moments we have shared this year, in the style of David Letterman’s Top 10 lists:
10. Our Foundation Resident Art Show
In July, Westminster Woods on Julington Creek was pleased to host the Westminster Communities Foundation’s Resident Art Show. The show was also available for all of our residents, team members and their families to enjoy virtually, no matter where they live.
You can enjoy some of the amazing and award-winning work from the 2022 Resident Art Show for yourself! View our Virtual Art Show.
9. We Won Gold at The National Mature Media Awards
This summer, we were thrilled to announce that our Creative Team, part of our Community Support Services team, won a Gold Award and three Merit Awards in this year’s National Mature Media Awards. The Gold-winning campaign, “Happy To Be Here,” was a multi-channel campaign featuring direct mail pieces, advertisements, events, resident testimonials, buttons, referral program and so much more. In addition, the Merit Awards were given to our “Sweet and Savory” event, “100% Satisfaction Guarantee” campaign, and “Candid Conversation” campaign. We are so proud of all the team members who worked on these amazing entries!
8. The Westminster Towers-Westminster Winter Park Putting Tournament
The semi-annual putting tournament put on by the residents of Westminster Towers and Westminster Winter Park is highly competitive — and one of our most highly engaged posts throughout the entire year. The event is a favorite for both communities as residents enjoy getting together, engaging in some friendly competition and savoring a delicious lunch with friends. Westminster Towers started the tournament with a prayer from Chaplain Brenda and at the end of the day, Team Towers won with a 30-point lead.
7. Establishing A Gift to Support Team Members of Westminster St. Augustine
This summer, a resident at Westminster St. Augustine, Winston Allen, created a scholarship fund for the team members of Westminster St. Augustine and their family members who are seeking a career in law enforcement. The local newspaper, the St. Augustine Record, wrote about this wonderful gift — you can read all about it on their website: https://www.staugustine.com/story/news/local/2022/07/24/westminster-st-augustine-resident-donates-scholarship-law-enforcement/10027936002
6. Technology Makes Dining More Exciting at Westminster Point Pleasant
Westminster Point Pleasant’s new Market opened as a tech café in May. This new concept for the dining room in the River Room features ordering to-go items through a kiosk and offers sit-down service as items are served by a robot. So far, the response has been great — residents love this innovative way we’re making life more interesting.
5. We Honored Our Team Members of the Year and Volunteers of the Year
We were delighted to celebrate our incredible Team Members of the Year and Volunteers of the Year for 2021 this summer. We held three recognition banquets – in Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tallahassee – to recognize them for their contributions to making life more interesting at our communities every day. You can learn all about these amazing individuals now!
4. Westminster Oaks’ New Memory Care Neighborhood Wins Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction
Westminster Oaks and Westminster Communities of Florida were delighted to announce that the new Memory Care neighborhood in the Life Plan Community in Tallahassee has been recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of North Florida with its Eagle Award for Excellence in Construction. Congratulations to our construction team members, including Director of Construction Bill Andersen and Construction Manager Rob Clerici, and contractors Cook Brothers, Inc., of Tallahassee!
3. How Afghan Refugees Are Building New Lives as Westminster Team Members
This year, we were delighted to sponsor several families of State Department-approved refugees from Afghanistan and to help them resettle and find work in our communities. We have helped these families find housing, start work, and enroll their children in school, thanks to the support of residents, team members and community organizations throughout Tampa Bay. We saw an outpouring of generosity, with contributions ranging from clothes and home furnishings, to bicycles and even English lessons provided by residents.
Learn all about the experiences of Noman Raoufi and Mohebullah Zyarmal as they acclimated to living in Bradenton and Orlando, as well as becoming successful new Westminster team members!
2. LeadingAge Florida’s Trustee Of The Year Award Given To Marjorie Phillips, Former Westminster Board Chair
In July, LeadingAge Florida honored former Westminster Communities of Florida Board of Directors chairwoman Marjorie Phillips for her extraordinary contributions to the residents and team members of Westminster Communities of Florida.
Phillips has served in nearly every position on the boards of directors and regional committees of the organization. This includes tenure as chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Presbyterian Retirement Communities, Westminster’s parent organization, as well as the Board of Directors of Westminster Retirement Communities, which is Westminster’s division of affordable Rental Retirement Communities serving older adults with low to moderate incomes.
“I am so appreciative of the nomination by Westminster and somewhat stunned that I would be given an award for doing something I so loved doing,” Phillips said, after receiving the award.
“Serving at Westminster was one of the great blessings in my life.”
1. New Memory Care Center Opens at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek
In September, the new Memory Care Center at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek opened. Residents’ Association President Dr. Joan Hodges said, “This building with all that it holds, carries the visions, hopes and dreams of those who have gone before us, those who will currently live here and those who will come here far into the future.”
Learn about how your family member or loved one can benefit from Memory Care at Westminster Woods on Julington Creek on our website today!
