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.

More than 85 Asbury residents ushered in this new era of wireless access with an event held on January 25th in the Mund Lounge and Rosborough Theater.  Through Skype, an online video conference, the two locations were able to connect with each other and with Mr. Jonathon Ebinger, the Asbury Foundation Board member from California who helped consult on the project.  Through the wonders of modern technology, the three locations participated in the 30-minute program.

This gift is especially important, as it has paved the way for expanded wireless across the entire campus within the next 12-18 months. Special thanks to Jonathan for his vision, and thanks also to the Asbury Maintenance Department, Nelson Capurata and TAG IT, AVTV and the AMV Computer Club for their support and guidance. It was truly a team effort!

Beverly Conner

I am a second generation Bethany Village resident.  My Mother, Alyce Utley, loved her time at Bethany Village and especially appreciated and supported the Bethany Village Care Assurance Fund.  The fact that this fund provided for her neighbors who, through no fault of their own, outlived their financial resources enhanced her desire to pass on that appreciation to me.

Prior to her passing away in 2000 at the age of 95, my mother supported the Care Assurance fund through a charitable gift annuity.  This allowed her to make a wonderful gift to Bethany Village while earning income for the rest of her life.

This gift stands out to me even more today as, unknown to me at the time, she funded a two-life charitable gift annuity that included me.  I will never forget the first check I received from her annuity after she passed.  The warm glow that fills my heart reminds me of my mother’s love for me and her love for Bethany Village.

Each time I receive the annuity check, I say a silent “Thank You” to her memory and spend the income in a way I know she would approve of, often on my grandchildren, her great-grandchildren.  I remind them that they had a generous great grandmother, whose love reaches out to second and third generations.

Charitable gift annuities are a wonderful way to support Bethany Village.  You can fund these annuities using cash, stock or even real estate.  The rates are incredible…much better than any CD’s or Stock Dividend rates I have seen.

How will your loved ones remember you?  A two-life charitable gift annuity is an incredible way to benefit those in need while saying “I love you” to someone close to you, long after you are gone.

The newly formed Asbury Singers celebrated the holiday season in style, delivering a terrific concert on December 22 in Parker Hall.  The event was standing room only, leaving the group wondering where to hold their concerts in the future! The Asbury Singers also included a special performance for Kindley residents in their repertoire.

The Asbury Singers formed early in 2011, when 36 individuals from both Asbury Methodist Village and the city of Gaithersburg came together under the direction of Betty Sewell and the management of Betsey Monks, Ruth Ann Thran and Shirley Mallory. The group needed several items to get started, not the least of which was music! Many were interested in helping the seniors get off on the right foot.  Residents and others contributed cash donations to the Asbury Foundation to help this vibrant group buy the music and supplies necessary for a great performance. The result was glorious – beautiful music all over AMV campus!

On Thursday, February 23rd, the Asbury Singers will be performing in Hefner Auditorium in honor of Black History Month. Contact Leta Loring at 301-216-4050 or lloring@asbury.org for more details.

“The Hills are Alive with the Sound of Music…”

The Tulsa Hills to be exact!

Inverness Village recently began a special piano restoration project on campus, and the first two pianos have been successfully restored.

In celebration of the first two restorations, The Piano Study Club of Tulsa held a concert at Inverness on Friday, November 11, and more than 130 guests joined the beautiful gathering!

“Each of our six pianos on campus were donated by generous friends, and are fine instruments,” shared Inverness Village Board Chair Dr. Michael Mitchell. “They each just need a bit of TLC, and we hope to get the rest of the pianos all restored in 2012!”

Special heartfelt thanks goes to: Charles W. Ward, Karen & Bob McCay, Dr. Paul McCay, Bob G. Seese, Norma Helen & Bob Hampton, Janet Flynn, Greg Lynch, and Lewis & Loraine Edmonson.

Special thanks to Photographers: Angeline LeLeux and CJ’s Photography.

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

Each year the Asbury Guild works diligently to plan, organize and complete the event. Not only are gift items donated by residents living at Asbury Methodist Village, but many items are collected from churches in the surrounding community.

‘Elves Day’ was spent sorting, packing, and delivering the gifts…with a brief break for a pizza lunch. With the festive clothing many of the volunteers wear, and the amazing organization of the event, the room truly feels as though it’s Santa’s Workshop.

Gifts included such items as combs, crossword puzzle books, toiletries and stuffed animals. This year, the Asbury Guild collected over 2,500 gift items to fill the 450 large gift bags that were delivered!

Under the direction of Hal and Marilyn Gaut, Chief Elves, more than 75 volunteers worked for more than 3 months to make this effort possible.

To fill your day with some Christmas cheer, take a look at the slideshow of pictures below.

On Saturday, November 5, the Asbury Foundation at Asbury~Solomons Island hosted the 4th annual Holiday Bazaar to benefit their benevolent care fund.  Over 50 volunteers worked together to coordinate and conduct the event, as well as an additional 24 volunteers who made baked goods for the record-breaking bake sale.  Hundreds of guests enjoyed a craft/vendor show, bake sale, brown bag auction, gift table at Asbury Sails, and thrift sales from Betty’s Closet, Granny’s Treasures, and Library Book Sale.  The event raised $8,030 for the cause, and generated awareness of the many opportunities to support the community’s multiple thrift sales that will be held in 2012.  It was a great day for the A~S Benevolent Care Fund.

Photo Credit: Dee Lehner Photography

Over 100 Asbury Methodist Village residents were on hand September 27 for a discussion by renowned health expert Dr. Neal Barnard, followed by a tasting of delicious vegan – yes, that’s right, vegan – dishes. The event was sponsored by the Asbury Foundation, which is grateful for the collaborative efforts of Sodexo and Dr. Barnard’s Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine in providing the tempting treats.

Resident Keith Woodward hadn’t planned on attending the event, but was glad she did. “He inspired me to try some new ways of eating,” she said, adding that the lecture reinforced some dietary advice she already knew but didn’t necessarily follow, and taught her some new information, too.

“I’m from Omaha, and in my family growing up, there was no such thing as fish or a salad,” Keith said. “Just like Dr. Barnard said, his family’s meals consisted of beef, potatoes and corn, that’s how our dinners were.” During the presentation, Dr. Barnard shared information about such dietary dilemmas as fat, cholesterol and diabetes, and showed research documenting the effects of a vegetarian diet on cholesterol levels and a vegan diet on reversing Type 2 diabetes.

Afterwards, residents eagerly tried – among other items – butternut squash ravioli, chocolate orange bread pudding, kale and fruit smoothies, and a dish made of cranberries and cannelloni beans. Many of them then headed to a table where Dr. Barnard signed copies of his books, which include “Dr. Neal Barnard’s Program for Reversing Diabetes” and “Foods That Fight Pain.” And judging from the crowds around him, residents’ kitchens might be looking a little healthier in the coming months.

Support of programs like Dr. Barnard’s presentation is a tangible way that the Asbury Foundation enriches the lives of Asbury residents.

In addition to supporting Asbury Methodist Village through raising support for the Benevolent Care Fund , the Asbury Foundation also raises money for their Specific Purpose Funds. Asbury Methodist Village has a variety of Specific Purpose Funds, such as: Pastoral Care Fund, Rosborough Speaker Series Fund, Wilson Health Care Center Shampoo Fund, Dorothy Keller Vision Fund, Music Therapy Fund, Wildlife Fund, and many more.

Spirits were bright despite overcast skies as friends of The Asbury Foundation and Asbury Communities enjoyed a great day of golf and fellowship during the 2011 Caring Classic Tournament. On October 11, more than 125 golfers teed off at Whiskey Creek Golf Club in Ijamsville, Md., for the scramble-style tournament before heading to the clubhouse for the dinner and Silent Auction.

Overall, the event raised more than $75,000 for The Asbury Foundation’s Benevolent Care Funds, which are used to help residents of Asbury’s communities who have outlived their financial resources through no fault of their own. Special thanks go out to the tournament’s sponsor, Sodexo Senior Living, and Leadership sponsors Flagship Rehabilitation Services and Wagman Construction, Inc.

The Silent Auction was lively, with 85 bidders vying for such items as an iPad – which went for $475 – a Wii entertainment system, bikes, autographed sports memorabilia and tickets to sporting events. Close to $1,500 was raised through a 50/50 raffle organized by printing company Graphcom.

The tournament was lively as well, with a $25,000 prize for a hole-in-one, which went unclaimed, and awards for the winning foursome and those who shot closest to the pin and had the longest drive. The course was beautiful, the temperature perfect for a long afternoon of golf and there was plenty of laughter and good-natured ribbing to be heard at each hole.  Mark Twain may have said golf was nothing but “a good walk spoiled,” but that attitude was nowhere to be found on Tuesday.