News - Westminster Communities of Florida

Reflecting on Our Top Social Media Moments of the Year

Posted on December 31, 2024December 31, 2024 by Westminster

This year at Westminster Communities of Florida has been marked by incredible milestones, inspiring celebrations and meaningful connections. We’ve shared these cherished moments with our Westminster community of social media followers. Here’s a countdown of the top ten most engaging posts from 2024, recognizing what makes Westminster so special.

10. Partnering with the University of South Florida for leadership development

We celebrated a meaningful collaboration with the University of South Florida Health Care Administration and Aging Sciences program. Westminster Bradenton worked with USF to help create a 10-part course for students learning how to lead assisted living communities. The USF team filmed our Westminster Bradenton team members and leaders in action, showcasing their expertise. This partnership reflects our commitment to fostering education and connecting with future leaders in our field.

9. CyberCycle challenge inspires camaraderie

We stayed true to our Eight Dimensions of Well-Being and kept active in the dimension of Physical Wellness with the help of a little friendly competition. Our Annual CyberCycle Challenge was a hit with our residents! In this challenge, residents compete on interactive stationary bikes. Our Westminster Baldwin Park team claimed first place with 1,847 miles, while Westminster Winter Park earned second with 1,277 miles. One resident, Barbara, talked about how the challenge motivated her to push herself. It all underscores the spirit of physical wellness, healthy competition and community support that defines who we are.

8. Mother’s Day afternoon tea party elegance

At Westminster Palms, to celebrate mothers, this elegant tea party event took the cake and was a favorite among our followers. Ladies wearing hats and fascinators enjoyed live music from Tampa Trio String. They also delighted in treats like cucumber sandwiches, scones and petit fours.

7. True Olympic spirit in fitness classes

Westminster Towers highlighted how residents stay active with a fun and energetic Olympic-themed volleyball fitness class. Residents embraced the spirit of the Olympic Games, playing a lively and competitive game while cheering for their favorite teams in the global games. It was a fun way to talk about how important it is to stay active, stay fit and connect with others through wellness activities.

6. Celebrating Mother’s Day with kindness

We spent time collaborating with our local volunteer organizations as they brought their positivity and light to our communities. Westminster Woods on Julington Creek had a heartwarming brunch for Mother’s Day. The Kindness Club from San Juan Del Rio Catholic Church hosted the event. The club brought coffee, sweets, flowers and gifts, spreading joy and appreciation to residents and team members alike.

5. Honoring our remarkable team members

Our team members are a large part of what makes our communities so special! Throughout 2024, we celebrated our exceptional team members. That included Martha from Westminster Woods on Julington Creek, who was named Team Member of the 2nd Quarter for her 17 years of service and positivity. At Westminster Suncoast, they celebrated Pam’s retirement after 31 years of service. Westminster Oaks’ team members and the community celebrated Veterans Day with a special event.

4. Annual Sales & Marketing Summit

A milestone collaboration between our communities was our Annual Sales and Marketing Summit. This event was designed to improve team members’ skills and celebrate a successful year. It brought together team members from all of our Life Plan Communities. The two-day event featured dynamic speakers, including Westminster’s new Vice President of Healthy Aging and Longevity, Kelly Stranburg. We also gave awards to individuals and communities for their achievements in sales and marketing, energizing the group for the future.

3. Dining Innovation Award Recognition

Westminster Winter Park’s new main dining room won a special award for its dining innovation in Senior Housing News’ Architecture and Design Awards. These new dining rooms show local colors, Florida charm and beautiful views of Lake Berry. This elevates the dining experience for residents. Congratulations again on this award!

2. National Recognition for Creative Excellence

This year, we also celebrated the news that Westminster’s Creative Team won two Merit Awards at the 33rd Annual National Mature Media Awards. The “Aging Solo” campaign and the Westminster Winter Park Parade of Homes campaign both achieved remarkable success within the marketplace. This recognition highlights our team’s innovation and dedication to senior living marketing excellence.

1. Celebrating 70 Years of Westminster Communities

All year, we were proud to celebrate our organization’s 70th birthday. We celebrated the founding of Westminster Bradenton’s Manor Neighborhood by members of First Presbyterian Church of Bradenton. Across Florida, residents and team members alike marked this milestone with unique events. A few highlights: An elegant Winter Wonderland celebration at Westminster St. Augustine. Groovy ‘70s-themed parties at Westminster Oaks and Westminster Suncoast. A 1950s-themed outdoor breakfast at Westminster Towers. And a block party and carnival at Westminster Bradenton’s Point Pleasant Neighborhood. The events included special proclamations from local leaders, live music and meaningful reflections on Westminster’s legacy. These celebrations honored the past and embraced a future filled with opportunities to serve older adults.

Looking Ahead

These moments highlight the vibrancy, creativity and dedication that define Westminster Communities of Florida. As we reflect on 2024, we’re grateful for the opportunity to share these stories and create memories with our residents, team members and extended community. Here’s to another year of enriching lives and building connections!

Interim CEO Hank Keith Reflects on the Season and Shares Gratitude with our Residents and Team Members

Posted on December 19, 2024December 19, 2024 by Westminster

This year our interim Chief Executive Officer, Hank Keith, reflects on the spirit of the holiday season and shares his gratitude with our team members and residents for sharing their lives with Westminster Communities of Florida and upholding our dedication to our 70-year Mission of service to older adults.

Westminster St. Augustine Hosts “Winter Wonderland” Celebration To Mark 70 Years Of Serving Older Adults

Posted on December 12, 2024December 12, 2024 by Westminster

Today, Westminster St. Augustine commemorated Westminster Communities of Florida’s 70th anniversary with an elegant winter celebration, a program with speakers highlighting its many contributions, and culminating in a champagne toast by residents.

Westminster Communities of Florida 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.

The evening’s event featured a Winter Wonderland-themed celebration, in elegant white, blue and silver, and décor like ice sculptures and white luminaries, and a cocktail service of salmon canapes and prime rib.

St. Johns County Commissioner Sarah Arnold celebrated the community’s service to older adults. She said, “Westminster St. Augustine does all of this with compassion and with heart. Westminster is the gold standard, and a model for any other senior living communities to follow.”

Arnold presented a special proclamation from the County Commission to Westminster St. Augustine Executive Director Debbie Pattinson and Westminster Communities of Florida Interim CEO Hank Keith. The proclamation was issued for the original date of the event, which was rescheduled from October due to the effects of Hurricane Milton. It read, in part: “Be it proclaimed, by the Board of Commissioners of St. Johns County, Florida, that October 15, 2024, is recognized as a date of commemoration with Westminster St. Augustine of the 70th Anniversary of Westminster Communities of Florida.”

LeadingAge Southeast CEO Steve Bahmer noted that Westminster serves more than 7,000 residents in 23 communities – and comes to the aid of other senior living organizations throughout Florida. “I have seen it first hand,” Bahmer said, “whether it is day-to-day service and care for older adults, or whether it is supporting other communities through hurricanes. What a thrill to be here with all of you tonight. Congratulations on seven decades!”

The attendees, including residents, future residents, team members and dignitaries, also enjoyed a presentation about the history of St. Augustine and World Golf Village from resident Bob Nawrocki, the Chief Librarian of the St. Augustine Historical Society.

Westminster St. Augustine, a Life Plan Community in World Golf Village, was established in 2001 and joined the Westminster family of communities in 2017. Keith, the Westminster CEO, celebrated the community’s recent success and its history. “This community came to us in distress in 2017, but it has been one of our fastest to turn around to strength,” he said. “Now it is growing, and we are even building new homes right across the lake from here. We are expecting the new Southpointe neighborhood to open in the spring.”

Keith also celebrated Westminster’s roots and dedication to its historic Mission. “Our organization has changed a lot and our communities have changed a lot, but our Mission and our Founding Principles have stayed the same through the decades,” Keith said. “We wouldn’t be able to celebrate this 70-year anniversary if it were not for our residents and team members. Thank you for your trust in choosing a Westminster community.”

The celebratory event culminated with a champagne toast led by Jane Blocker, chair of the Resident Council. Blocker noted that the community, established in 2001, has many years of exciting history ahead. “There’s one thing that our community can look forward to over the next 70 years, and that is that some of Westminster’s communities have second-generation residents now. The goal for the next 70 years is for Westminster St. Augustine to have some legacy of our next generation living here,” Blocker said.

Blocker concluded: “I’d like to propose a toast in thanks to Westminster Communities of Florida and in thanks to our amazing team members, who make this a great place to live every single day.”