By Brian Trompeter
2022 was a solid year for the Shepherd’s Center of Northern Virginia and leaders honored some of the group’s top volunteers April 17 for their contributions to that success.
“You all are the reason why we are able to fulfill our mission in the community, each and every one of you,” said executive director Carolyn Pennington. “What a great day to celebrate.”
The organization, founded 25 years ago, held its annual luncheon at Maggiano’s in Tysons Galleria, which donated food for the occasion.
2022 was a milestone year for the Shepherd’s Center, as most of its programs returned to pre-pandemic levels, said board chairman W. Scott Schroth. More than 400 registered clients now use the organization’s services and programs, which are staffed by 250 vetted volunteers, he said.
The group’s volunteers gave more than 8,000 hours of their time last year, which equates roughly to $250,000 worth of value, he said.
One of the group’s key services is providing free rides to seniors for medical and dental appointments, grocery-store trips and other errands. Drivers provided more than 2,200 such trips last year, traveling in excess of 13,000 miles, Schroth said.
Volunteers with the Shepherd’s Center’s “Companionship” and “Handy Helpers” programs provided more than 350 hours’ worth of direct support to clients in 2022, he said. The group’s caregiver-support and advocacy programs also gave 150 hours of support last year, he added.
Schroth gave volunteer Richard Deusterhaus the group’s Ed Lowery Award and honored new board members Akram Aleahmad (who was not in attendance) and Robin Portman.
The group bestowed service pins to awardees Peggy Coleman, Irene Coyne, Jack Edelstein, Frank Fico, Susan Harpe, Anne Nelson and Melinda O’Brien. In addition, the Shepherd’s Center lauded the efforts of Vienna town government employees Jill Miller, Ann Smith and Susan Voss.
After the lunch buffet, magician and mind reader Tim Hall entertained the group.
Several local political leaders attended the ceremony and praised the Shepherd’s Center’s efforts.
“The work you’re doing is incredible,” said Del. Holly Seibold (D-Oakton-Vienna), telling the group’s volunteers, “You are the unsung heroes. The work can’t be done without you all.”
Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert thanked the organization for supporting senior residents’ physical, emotional and mental health, and said she sometimes includes information about the group in her videos for town residents.
Maddy White, deputy director of outreach for U.S. Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-11th), noted she was wearing sneakers because she broke her ankle last year, and had come to realize how much she depended on others.
“It can definitely make you feel helpless, so having the friendly face of a volunteer to help you around the house, help you clean things, is really vital,” she said. “I know from my experience that this means the world to everyone that you help.”
“The wonderful thing about this organization is that you’re working with people at a human level,” said Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn (D). “It’s one-on-one, it’s really helping people where they are [and with] what their needs are.”
Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville) said the Board of Supervisors is “overwhelmingly grateful” for the service of the county’s nonprofit community, especially those who help senior residents and the elderly.
“You should be very proud of yourselves, but you should also know that what you’re doing is recognized and appreciated not just by those people who smile from ear to ear when you knock on their doors,” Foust said. “You’re making the kind of community that we all want to live in and age in. You make it possible.”
