John Schulze and Nick Serenyi

Nick concluded three very productive years as Foundation Board Chairman, as well as a total of nine years of service on the Board.  Nick has served in multiple capacities with Asbury, including roles with the Audit Committee and Caring Classic Golf Committee.  However, his most impressive accomplishment was serving as co-chairman of the $5 million “For Love of Neighbor” Benevolent Care Endowment Campaign, completed in 2011.  Nick also oversaw the creation of a Strategic Plan for Asbury Foundation, laying out a new set of long-range goals for the future.

At the April 13, 2012, John Schulze was elected as the new Chairman of the Asbury Foundation Board of Directors. 

John is a graduate of Westminster College in Business Administration, and has extensive experience in his 25-year career in banking.  He has obtained accolades from the Central Atlantic School of Commercial Lending at Bucknell University, the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Delaware, and the Leadership Erie program at Gannon University.  Currently, as Vice President of ERIEBANK in Erie, Pa., Mr. Schulze manages the Corporate and Business portfolio for the bank. 

John became active on the Springhill Asbury Foundation Committee at the start of a capital campaign to build what is now The Woodlands memory support neighborhood at Springhill.  Both of John’s parents had moved into the community as he supported them through the challenges of his father’s Alzheimer’s disease.   He was instrumental on the committee and, after successfully completing the campaign, accepted to serve on the Asbury Foundation Board of Directors.  Additionally, John serves on the Springhill Board of Governors.  He gives tremendous time and expertise through participation in Foundation seminars; annually securing a key sponsor for the Springhill Auction; and his steadfast attendance at Asbury Foundation sponsored events, including the annual Springhill Heritage Luncheon, is always appreciated.

They say to ask the busiest volunteers if you want great success, and John definitely falls into that category.  He serves on the Board and the Finance Committee for the Housing and Neighborhood Development Services program, the Community Resources for Growth organization, as well as participates in the Pan Mass Challenge – a 200-mile bike ride for cancer.  He was also the former Board President for the Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity. John and his wife, Karen, have one son, Noah.

Asbury Foundation, Inc. is led by a volunteer Board of Directors.  The Foundation Board is comprised of business, community, and resident leaders who share a commitment to furthering our mission.  We are grateful to benefit from the expertise of John Schulze as well as for the extended service and expertise provided by Nick Serenyi.

Nursing Grant Committee members visit at the 2011 Tea they host for grant recipients.

There’s a special connection between residents of Bethany Village and the associates who work here. Perhaps one of the most unique examples is the Bethany Village Nursing Grant Program, which was founded two years ago by a group of residents. And today, we’re happy to announce the 2012 winners of the grant, Janel Donahoe, Denise Knudsen, Jennifer Ranck and Andrea Yohn, all caregivers in Bethany Village’s Oaks and Maplewood communities.

The grant helps fund caregivers interested in continuing their education in the field of nursing, and received a major boost last year with the anonymous donation of $50,000 to The Asbury Foundation, which helps administer the program. Former recipient Lori Crum, LPN, is pursuing her registered nurse’s degree and can’t say enough about how the residents’ belief in her has sustained her while juggling school, a full-time career and motherhood. “These grants have made it so much easier to do this,” Lori says. “We have eight kids and have put them all through school. Now it’s ‘me’ time. This makes such a difference in paying for the classes and books. Between working and taking classes, I have to be really focused. This takes the financial pressure off.”

Equally important has been the emotional support Lori has felt from the residents who are betting on her success – residents like Karen Lamb, Edith Flurkey and Ann Thurner who founded the grant program, “They encourage me to become better in what I’m doing,” Lori explains. “They tell me that the things I’m doing are very appreciated and that giving good care to residents is a priority at all levels. I know they’re checking up on me!”

Resident Marcia Conner, who helped Lori secure additional support through the Philanthropic Educational Organization, heard of Lori’s reputation as a dedicated caregiver and how hard she was working to continue her education. She approached the nursing associate and asked if she needed any additional support. “Lori’s an amazing person; she makes me tired just thinking about all she does,” exclaims Marcia.

It is relationships like these that make Bethany Village such a special place to work, Lori says. “I think it’s the type of community it is,” explains Lori, who began her career as a certified nursing assistant and is now a licensed practical nurse working as the assessment coordinator for The Oaks. “It’s a two-way street here. The staff appreciates the residents and they feel that appreciation so they appreciate the staff back.”

Residents Mary Ellen Ellwell and Pat O’Neal with Director of Development Melissa Carnes at the Calvert Marine Museum prior to the opening of the lecture by Dr. Peter Rabins

Former Asbury~Solomons Island resident Scott O’Neal was an advocate of the Foundation’s special projects on the A~S campus, as well as a supporter of the Benevolent Care Fund.

In late 2010, Scott became interested in a lecture project being planned by resident Mary Ellen Elwell. The goal was to bring a speaker to Calvert County, Md., to address local healthcare professionals on a “hot topic” in the world of healthcare. Dr. Peter Rabins was selected, author of “The 36 Hour Day,” a guide for families caring for those with Alzheimer’s.

Scott successfully cared in their home for his wife, Juanita, who suffered from dementia until her passing. Upon finding that Dr. Rabins would be the presenter, Scott graciously provided a sponsorship to cover the honorarium and enable the lecture to become a reality. The event, The O’Neal Family Memorial Lecture, was held on October 13, 2011, at the Calvert Marine Museum, where 160 attendees heard the latest in Alzheimer’s research and networked with other local health professionals.

Although Scott passed just weeks prior to the event, his son, Pat, and daughter-in-law, Barbara, were in attendance at the lecture, along with Barbara’s mother, A~S resident Nancy deJongh. The Asbury Foundation is grateful to Scott for his support of projects that have helped to make the A~S community an even better place.

Robert & Karen McCay

“When my brother-in-law moved out of Inverness Village because he missed his hometown, I told him he needed to leave his concert grand piano as a gift to the community. So he left it.” Resident Karen McCay’s words of advocacy resulted in an incredible gift ot music. The concert grand now graces the front lobby of Inverness Village in Tulsa.

Advocacy is a priceless gift, and Karen and her husband, Bob, are tremendous advocates for Inverness. But like many of the advocates and friends reading this story, Mr. and Mrs. McCay decided they wanted to do even more. They wanted to do something extraordinary.

“Yes, the gift of our entry fee was an immediate and very substantial tax deduction,” shared Mr. McCay. “But we made the gift because we love our home. Inverness and its four sister communities are nonprofits. We believe inthe programs and the people here.”

Mr. and Mrs. McCay made their beloved home their number one charity. And in so doing, they blessed their community and blessed their own life as well.

“Inverness staff members tell us we are heroes. No, no, we are not heroes. We just did the right thing,” say hero Mrs. McCay.

The Asbury Foundation was proud to sponsor a financial seminar on March 8, 2012, featuring Jeffrey A. Ernico, JD, BA of Mette Evans & Woodside. Mr. Ernico has extensive experience in corporate issues, taxation, real estate transactions and estate planning and administrative law. He serves on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and the Estate Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania. He has presented a paper and lecture on the 2010 “Estate Tax Debacle” to the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties in Washington, DC and is the recipient of the prestigious Louis Goffman Pro Bono Award for the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Topics included:
• How to Reduce Taxes for Your Heirs and Manage Your Estate
• Understanding Estate and Gift Tax Portability
• Is Joint Asset Ownership Always Best?
• Managing Your Estate for Higher Levels of Gifting Between Now and 2013
• Important Planning Considerations for Current and Future Bethany Village Residents

The seminar took place in SpringFields Restaurant at Bethany Village and included current and prospective residents. While the event was well-attended, it also provided a platform for individual questions throughout the presentation. As the current tax law is set to expire at the end of 2012, Mr. Ernico was able to provide insight into the current law and has agreed to return and give an update, assuming legislation occurs in late 2012 on future estate and tax law.

Mr. Ernico has provided leadership in the Estate Planning arena for Bethany Village residents as a member of the Asbury Communities Board, and serves as the Chair of the Governance Committee. He is also a member of the annual Asbury Foundation Caring Classic Golf Tournament Committee. For information on future seminars and/or Asbury Foundation events at Bethany Village, contact J.D. Shuman in the Asbury Foundation Office of Bethany Village at 717-591-8019 or via email at jshuman@asbury.org.

To read the full article by CBS Channel 21′s Bethany Village’s use of iPods and Beamz as therapy, click here.

Additional Media Coverage:

Harrisburt Patriot News featured a story here.

Local NBC Channel WGAL 8 also featured a story on the use of iPods at Bethany Village here.

In addition, Long Term Living featured Bethany Village in a similar story here.

Inverness Village Spring Fling 2012
“Cinco de Mayo Fiesta” Friday, May 4^th
6-8:30 p.m.
Inverness Village
Founders Hall
Dinner – Silent Auction – Entertainment – Door Prizes

Get Ready for some FUN! Margaritas and Mariachi will abound on Friday, May 4^th at Inverness Village! And all for a great cause: The Inverness Village Benevolent Care Fund.

Event Chair: Kay Meyerhoff
Event Co-Chair: Dixie Reppe
Honorary Chairs: Kathy and Ben Gorrell
Auction Chair: Bebe Campbell
Decoration Chair: Doreen Sigle
Auction & Decoration Co-Chairs: Dr. June Holmes, Col. Shirley Schelper,
Dot Talley, Liz Utley, Ruthie Wildman
Campus Outreach Chair: Carol McMasters
Advisory Chairs: Susan and Bob Rorschach
Door Prize Chair: Lois Lee
Design Intern Co-Chairs: Amber Albrektsen, Chelsea Bridges

Special heartfelt thanks goes to our sponsors (at time of print):

The Charles and Peggy Stephenson Family Foundation
Sodexo
American Heritage Bank
Bebe Campbell
Ben and Kathy Gorrell
Dixie Reppe
SpiritBank

Photo by: Chelsea Bridges

To buy a ticket, or become a Sponsor Friend of Spring Fling 2012, click here.

If you wish to support the events and vital programming at your Asbury community, please ask your Development Director for a current list of most urgent program needs.

The Mechanicsburg Area Foundation (MAF) is a Regional Foundation within The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC). In 1987, individuals from the Mechanicsburg community decided to establish a local community foundation, agreeing to join The Foundation for Enhancing Communities and serve under its umbrella. This decision allows for all administrative and investment services to be provided by TFEC.

On November 8, 2011, the Mechanicsburg Foundation provided a $9,700 grant to benefit the Bethany Village End-of-Life Ministries.  Susan Crossley of The Oaks Skilled Care at Bethany Village shares the impact this grant will have on the local community.  “In my role here at Bethany Village as Director of Recreation for The Oaks, my staff and I are often faced with quality-of-life issues for the end-of-life journey” said Ms. Crossley.  This grant will enable the ministry team to start an education and support program for volunteers and staff to aide families and residents of Bethany Village in this journey.  It will help to build a resource library of printed and audio-visual materials to be used on an ongoing basis to benefit those within the Bethany family, as well as those served by our local support groups. This gift will also provide us with the ability to provide massages for any individual that the ministry team feels is in need of comfort.  Thank you to the Mechanicsburg Foundation – your grant is helping to make all of this happen.

The impact TFEC has on the community is broad and covers a five-county region. All nonprofit organizations within the counties of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lebanon, Perry and Northern York are permitted to apply for grants from the Foundation’s discretionary funds for their programs and operating costs attached to those programs. There are over 710 philanthropic funds within TFEC and the six regional foundations: Camp Hill Community Foundation, Dillsburg Area Foundation, Franklin County Foundation, The Greater Harrisburg Foundation, Mechanicsburg Area Foundation and Perry County Community Foundation.

In 2010, TFEC distributed $3,916,843 in total grants.  Asbury Foundation and Bethany Village are thankful to have a relationship with this wonderful organization.  For more information on TFEC, visit their website at http://www.tfec.org/.

Dick & Doris Woodall

“’What can I do to help you?’  I’ve heard these words so many times from Dick and Doris Woodall,” says Melissa Carnes, Director of Development at Asbury~Solomons Island.  “Any time I have an event, or need a helping hand with a project, the Woodalls are there with a cheerful smile.”

As with most nonprofit organizations, the Asbury Foundation relies on the support of volunteers to keep costs down while doing the work of their mission.  Campuses across the system see volunteers helping the Asbury Foundation in many ways such as serving on the Foundation Board, raising funds through campus thrift shops and gift shops, hosting financial planning seminars for residents, conducting various benefit events, sharing the Foundation message and opportunities for support, and so many other valuable support services.

At Asbury~Solomons, the Woodalls help with many of the Foundation’s benefit events, from bingos to bazaars.  Whether it’s a large event or a small on-campus party, they cheerfully greet guests to the campus, bake goodies for bake sales, serve as cashiers at the campus thrift shops, help with the behind-the-scenes planning of events, distribute flyers throughout the local community, and so much more.  They not only donate their time to the Foundation, but bless the Foundation with gifts each year to help support the Benevolent Care Fund and other on-campus needs.

The Woodalls’ family is also active in the Foundation at Asbury~Solomons Island.  Their family gives to the annual appeals, and their son participates in the annual Holiday Bazaar.  “Having the support of family members is such a vote of confidence,” says Melissa.  “We are seeing more and more family members supporting our efforts here at Asbury~Solomons Island.  If it weren’t for the positive message sent by our residents, family members would not select us to be the beneficiary of their philanthropic efforts.  I am sure that Dick and Doris Woodall are serving as advocates of our Foundation, and I am fortunate to have their family on our list of supporters.  All of the Woodalls are wonderful people and are simply a lot of fun to be around.”

In 2012, Asbury~Solomons Island will form a Family Spirit Team.  The group will consist of family members of Asbury~Solomons residents who are interested in volunteering their time to help with Foundation events and programs.  For more information, or to join the mailing list for this team, email your contact information to Melissa Carnes at mcarnes@asbury.org, or call 410-394-2697.

Rev. Dr. Carl E. Young

In the book, “The Giving Tree,” the late Shel Silverstein shares a lifetime relationship between a boy and a tree.   The tree gives and gives of itself to the boy through play, apples to sell, and lumber.  Eventually the tree becomes worn and the boy ages to a man.  By the end of the story, one final discovery of giving is made when the tree invites the boy to sit on his stump and rest a while.

Silverstein’s story is an analogy of the life of Bethany Village resident the Reverend Dr. Carl Edgar Young, whose death came at the age of 103 on December 20, 2011.  Dr. Young gave and gave of himself in his life journey, to family, congregations and, in the last 34 years, to Bethany Village – especially the Care Assurance Fund.

At Bethany Village, Dr. Young’s self-giving was manifested in his being the first Campus Chaplain, an editor of “The Villager,” and a writer of resident biographies.  In the 1980s he successfully advocated with Pennsylvania state regulatory agencies for a new Health Center at Bethany Village.  Additionally, Dr. Young was instrumental in the raising of $1.5 million for this new center.

Through his vision and efforts, the Care Assurance Fund was established in 1984.  The purpose of the fund was, and continues to be, for Bethany Village residents who, through no fault of their own, find their resources depleted.    This fund makes it possible that no residents ever have to leave Bethany Village because they outlive their resources.

In 1991, Dr. Young was named the “Father of the Care Assurance Endowment Fund.”  He continued through the years to be an active part of the Care Assurance and Development Committee.  This father of Care Assurance at Bethany Village not only was a key founder of the fund to assist with benevolent care needs of residents; he also donated more than $1 million to the fund through charitable gift annuities.

Dr. Young’s self-giving life is reflective of St. Paul’s words:  “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves.   Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others.”  (Philippians 2:3-4)

Dr. Young lived as if his life mantra came from the advice of John Wesley, the founder of Methodism:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.”

Presently and into the future, an untold number of Bethany Village residents who are in need may come and rest a while.  Dr. Young’s generosity provides a gift of well-being.  With gratitude we celebrate this “Giving Tree” life and his legacy that continues to give and give.