WOODSTOWN — Friends Village at Woodstown will launch a new tradition next month. The community is invited to an Anniversary Celebration and Visionaries Reception on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Held on the Friends campus at One Friends Drive, Woodstown, the evening celebrates Friends history of service to seniors and recognizes three outstanding, visionary honorees.
“It is with great respect and pleasure that I announce the selection of the first of many visionaries to be recognized for the countless hours of hard work, bold dreams and faith they invested in bringing Friends Village to this point”, said Thomas B. Lyons, executive director. “Mr. Barrie Foster, Mrs. Dorothy Kramme and Mrs. Anna Rockey will be recognized for their contributions to Friends Village at our Sept. 17 anniversary celebration.”
Plans for the evening include music a wine, hors d’oeuvres and petite dessert reception; a Silent Auction with select items; and a presentation to the honorees. Cost for the evening is $10 and responses must be received by Sept. 10.
Call Mary Lou Frank at 856-823-0786 or by email: mfrank@fhaw.org. Registrations can also be made online by using the link on our website, www.friendsvillage.org.
Visionaries can be described as people who possess unusually keen foresight; who are audacious, ahead of their times, dreamers and creative thinkers. All of the honorees can be described in this way.
Foster and Kramme, both of Woodstown, were instrumental in the process that led to the development and construction of Friends Village as it is today, providing living options and healthcare services all in one location.
Rockey was among the first new residents who joined Friends as a cottage resident shortly after the “village” opened in 2005. Her belief in, and devotion to, the organization’s mission is demonstrated by her regular and continued support.
“As we are look forward to the challenges of enhancing our community while we move further into the 21st century, we want to acknowledge the visionary people who helped to get us this far,” Lyons said, “and this is an opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the support of the organization.”
Attending this year’s Sept. 17 event is the first step toward supporting services for older adults. Participants may also support Friends Village through this year’s silent auction. Among the offerings available for the Silent Auction are: Disney Package: three-day, two-night stay at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa and four Walt Disney Park-Hopper passes. Minimum bid $400; private wine tasting tour of French, Italian or another region of the bidder’s choice for 20 people at Total Wine & More in Claymont, DE. Minimum bid $200; dinner and a show: two tickets to the Walnut Street Theatre with dinner at nearby LaBuca Restaurant. Minimum bid $85.
Bids for these items and several other nice packages, can be made in advance of the event by visiting the Friends Village community center. The bidding will conclude at the anniversary event and the winners will be announced.
If you are unable to join the Friends Village celebration in person, but want to celebrate this year’s visionaries and support the organization, consider a contribution in honor of them or in memory of a loved one. Donations can be made online using the link on our website at www.friendsvillage.org.
Friends Village at Woodstown is a full service, non-profit, continuing care retirement community (CCRC) serving southern New Jersey offering independent living, assisted living, rehabilitation and skilled nursing services to adults ages 62 and up. Guided by time honored Quaker values, the organization was founded in 1896 and has been operating as a CCRC since 2005. For more information call the Marketing Office at 856-769-1500 or visit www.friendsvillage.org.
