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.
