Bill Text: VA HJR293 | 2024 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Commending The Shepherd's Center of Richmond.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-03-06 - Bill text as passed House and Senate (HJ293ER) [HJR293 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HJR293-Enrolled.html
WHEREAS, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond, a nondenominational, nonprofit organization committed to helping older individuals maintain active, independent, and engaged lives, celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2024; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, the Reverend Robert Seiler, veteran bomber pilot of B-24s in World War II, visionary Episcopal priest, and the founder of The Shepherd's Center of Richmond, noted a lack of opportunities and services for the ever-growing population of senior citizens in the Richmond area; and
WHEREAS, inspired by The Shepherd's Center of America, Robert Seiler and an advisory committee of local university administrators and business leaders created a nonprofit organization, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond, to pursue the aim of providing intellectual stimulation for older citizens, offering services to help them remain in their homes, and enabling opportunities for them to volunteer in the community; and
WHEREAS, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond's pilot program was funded by individuals, corporations, congregations, and foundations, while churches in the Fan District of Richmond provided space for classes and an office; and
WHEREAS, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond has since provided for the past 40 years rich and varied lifelong learning opportunities through its Open University, which today offers approximately 25 classes across various disciplines taught by local college professors and professionals in the community, representing more than 1,000 volunteer hours annually; and
WHEREAS, for 40 years, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond has offered personal services to qualified older citizens, with the goal of helping them stay in their homes as long as possible, including transportation to medical appointments and to the grocery store and assistance with handyman tasks; and
WHEREAS, The Shepherd's Center of Richmond regularly hosts events to enrich the health of older adults, including exercise and yoga classes, blood pressure screenings, and lectures on health topics and aging; and
WHEREAS, the accomplishments of The Shepherd's Center of Richmond are the result of the tireless efforts of one full-time executive director and three part-time staff and the overwhelming generosity of its many volunteers; and
WHEREAS, the spirit and vision of founder Robert Seiler are still alive today as The Shepherd's Center of Richmond carries out its mission of encouraging older adults to remain active and independent through enrichment programs and volunteer service to their peers; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend The Shepherd's Center of Richmond on the occasion of its 40th anniversary; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to The Shepherd's Center of Richmond as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the organization's history and its contributions to Richmond and the Commonwealth.
