Legacy celebration held at Christ’s Home

WARMINSTER >> Christ’s Home held its annual Legacy and Worship event at the Christ’s Home Community Center on October 13. This special evening kicked off the celebration of Christ’s Home’s 100th anniversary of providing care for senior adults, celebrated the achievements of key members of the Christ’s Home family, and offered a time of worship.

It was a sold-out event as guests, comprised of residents, staff members, community members, and donors attended and enjoyed the evening. Master of ceremonies for the event was George Zauflik, vice president, corporate relations at Christ’s Home.

The Legacy Service Award for Senior Services was presented to Sue Koch, staff development coordinator, by Karen Alizzi, administrator of Skilled Nursing Services, and Brenda Mast, corporate compliance officer.

The Legacy Service Award for Children’s Services was presented to Patti Matthias, director of business services, by Dee Bartolanzo, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

The Lifetime Service

Award was presented to Vernon Wright, director of planned giving at Christ’s Home for 34 years, and his wife, Lois Wright by John Bryant, president and chief executive officer.

The Legacy Leadership Award was presented to retired board member, Don Worthington, by John Bryant and Rich Smyth, former chief executive officer.

Guests enjoyed the film trailer screening of the upcoming movie, “I Heard the Bells,” created by Sight & Sounds Films of Lancaster. The film is the inspiring true story behind the beloved Christmas carol and its author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Jim McGovern, senior vice president and chief operating officer, and Vernon Morris, administrator of Independent Living, made a special presentation, “Senior Living — A Century of Service” which highlighted the achievements, milestones, and growth that has occurred during Christ’s Home 100 years of providing services to senior adults in Bucks County.

John Bryant led worship as he played the piano and sang for the guests. Rev. Rick

Tyson, chaplain at Christ’s Home, led the closing prayer. About Christ’s Home: Christ’s Home started its mission long ago, but today, as has been the case since the organization’s founding in 1903, caring, compassion, and community are the values it continues to honor as it provides services to senior adults and disadvantaged children every day. Christ’s Home was founded in 1903 by Dr. Albert Oetinger and Katharine Krausslach as a faithbased non-denominational organization caring for children in Philadelphia. In 1923 Christ’s Home opened a modest retirement community on St. Stephens Farm in Warminster to meet the needs of senior adults in the area. Today, Christ’s Home, now located in Warminster and Paradise, is one of the few organizations in the country to offer an array of life-enhancing services for both older adults and children. The heart of Christ’s Home is to serve the Lord by providing services to senior adults and disadvantaged children in an atmosphere graced with love, dignity, compassion, and respect. Website: www.christshome.org

The Legacy Leadership Award was presented to retired board member, Don Worthington, by president and chief executive officer, John Bryant and former Chief Executive Officer Rich Smyth. Pictured here from left to right are current board chair, David Breidinger; retired Board member, Don Worthington and his wife, Lois Worthington; retired chief executive officer, Rich Smyth; vice president, corporate relations, George Zauflik; and previous board chair, David Shoemaker.