We congratulate the 2018 Westminster Communities of Florida Volunteers of the Year!

1. Westminster Communities of Florida
Volunteers
of the Year

2. Volunteers of
the Year — 2018
TOUCHING LIVES
THROUGH SERVICE
We are so thankful for our volunteers. They contribute
thousands of hours in our communities, improving the
lives of our residents, and we’re so blessed to have them.
It’s our pleasure to recognize their contributions tonight.

3. COLLEGE ARMS TOWERS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Three years ago, Phyllis first became a
volunteer at College Arms Towers when
she began hosting a Bible study group for
residents in her apartment. She continues to
serve our community in a variety of ways,
from running Penny Bingo games to hosting
community dinners and even planning our
annual Veterans Day luncheon. She’s always
looking for new ways to keep her fellow
residents engaged in community life.
Never one to rest, Phyllis is also a published
author with several science fiction novels.
She enjoys birding, card games and watching
musical performances by her daughter, April.
Thank you for all your dedication, Phyllis!
Phyllis Alltop

4. RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Around our community, she’s called Ms.
Nellie. She’s well known as our Lead Floor
Captain, but she also volunteers many hours
in the House Boutique. Her large heart
provides an endless supply of love for her
fellow residents, including assisting another
resident who is battling cancer. Ms. Nellie
delivers her meals and even accompanies her
to her doctor’s appointments.
Ms. Nellie is always available and goes out of
her way to find ways to help someone in need.
We’re so thankful for all of her dedication to
helping out the other residents at Riverside
Presbyterian House.
Nellie Beyeler

5. WESTMINSTER MANOR - FORT WALTON BEACH
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Jody likes to help people, and she says that
if she can do anything in her power to help,
she will. Since joining our community two
years ago, she has done so much: She drives
people to doctors’ appointments, serves at
community functions, and even gives away
food to those in need. When she’s not helping
out other Westminster Manor residents, Jody
works with Habitat for Humanity and a local
volunteer organization, the Emerald Coast
Parrothead Club, which hosts fundraisers
and parties with a purpose. On behalf of
Westminster Manor and all of Fort Walton
Beach, thank you for helping others!
Johanna “Jody” Boeckmann

6. WESTMINSTER PALMS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
A retired ordained clergyman, Ronald
has undertaken pastoral care over the years
at Westminster Palms and in his work as
a volunteer assistant priest at St. Peter’s
Episcopal Chapel. Ronald very often makes
house visits, to aid and to deliver homemade
soup, including visits at the local hospital or
at the Rapid Recovery Unit at Westminster
Suncoast. Since 2015, he has also chaired our
Scholarship Committee, raising substantial
funds and mentoring staff. He serves on
several other Resident Council committees,
giving his time to help those in need. We’re so
grateful for Ronald’s dedication.
Ronald Brokaw

7. WESTMINSTER VILLAGE
2018 Volunteer of the Year
For his fellow residents who take the bus,
Robert has been a fixture in their lives as a
volunteer bus driver for two years. He assists
with helping each resident get on the bus and
helps them load and unload their groceries
when they return home. In addition, he
volunteers to help with the distribution of our
monthly MANNA food boxes to residents in
need.
Robert takes pride in his ability to volunteer
his services in helping others, and he goes the
extra mile to volunteer with a smile on his
face.
Westminster Village is proud to have Robert
as part of our family.
Robert Bryant

8. WESTMINSTER ST. AUGUSTINE
2018 Volunteer of the Year
“The best way to get active is to volunteer!” is
Kathy’s motto, and we agree. She is one of our
most dedicated volunteers. Kathy has taken on
a variety of roles as a volunteer, ranging from
her work on the Social Committee, to our
resident lifestyle program, to the Welcoming
Committee, to volunteering in the Health
Center. When she’s not busy volunteering, she
competes on our pickleball and line dancing
teams, where she shows the importance of
sports and wellness to her life.
Kathy is a fine example of a cheerful giver in
our community, and we are so appreciative of
her service to Westminster St. Augustine.
Kathy Charlton

9. WESTMINSTER MANOR - BRADENTON
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Caring for others and helping in the local
community is a big part of who Ellie is. Her
volunteering encompasses everything from
decorating our community, to taking her
neighbors to the doctor and on shopping trips,
organizing a knitting group that donates their
finished goods, managing our Country Store,
teaching Sunday school, visiting in the Health
Center — and more.
But mostly, Ellie is always available to help
a neighbor in need. After 40 years as a nurse,
she always knows how and when to help.
Westminster Manor can’t share our gratitude
enough. Congratulations, Ellie!
Ellie Collandra

10. WESTMINSTER TOWERS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
When Barbara first joined the Westminster
Towers family, 10 years ago, she thought she
would no longer be involved with music.
It didn’t take long before she realized that
this was a mistake, because music can bring
so much joy to others. Ever since, she has
played the piano to lift spirits and bring joy
to our community. What’s more, she has also
reinvented our therapeutic coloring class, and
looks for every opportunity to share her talent
with her neighbors. Our hearts soar to hear
her play – and to see her named our Volunteer
of the Year. Thank you!
Barbara Cunningham

11. WESTMINSTER POINT PLEASANT
2018 Volunteer of the Year
A lifelong leader, Betty is currently wearing
three big hats in our community, to keep
the community humming along. She is
currently both president and treasurer on our
Resident Council, when the treasurer position
became vacant unexpectedly. In addition,
she logs countless hours managing the
Thrift and Gift Shop. Somehow she finds the
time to contribute to the Echo, our resident
newsletter, and in April she will begin serving
as editor of that publication.
In recognition of how much this is for
one person to do, we want to say thanks for
everything she does — now and in the future.
Betty Ens

12. WESTMINSTER OAKS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
George has been deeply involved in life at
Westminster Oaks for more than six years, in
a variety of ways. He’s probably best known
as our “official photographer” to document
our exciting and active lifestyle, using his
own camera. Some of his work even hangs
in the Maguire Center for Lifelong Learning
green room. He also supports our Friendship
Games, table tennis and the Audio Visual
Team, and provides authentic Chinese dishes
for our International Thanksgiving dinner.
A dedicated volunteer who gives amply of his
time and services, he has made a tremendous
contribution. We can’t share our gratitude
enough.
William George Fong

13. WESTMINSTER SHORES
2018 Volunteer of the Year
We often hear, “He can do anything!”
That’s Mel to a “T”. He exemplifies the Eight
Dimensions of Wellbeing through his work
as a volunteer at our community and beyond,
including serving as president of the Service
Club and editing, writing and publishing
The Edge, a resident publication at our
community. He led and promoted our estate
sales and raised more than $30,000 for various
projects to enhance our community.
He loves to help others, and can fix almost
anything. For that, Westminster Shores is a
better place. Thank you, Mel!
Melvyn Grunthal

14. HUGH ASH MANOR
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Rena got to know Hugh Ash Manor as a
Good Samaritan and longtime volunteer
as a member of the church next door. After
many years of volunteering, she joined our
community five years ago — and immediately
started our program to weave mats for the
homeless. Her group of residents have made
and donated hundreds of mats. She has even
adopted a garden on our grounds, and never
fails to makes homemade soup for other
residents when they aren’t feeling well.
We’re so glad that, after two decades
of volunteering, we can name Rena our
Volunteer of the Year. Congratulations!
Emma “Rena” Hirshbeel

15. WESTMINSTER WOODS ON JULINGTON CREEK
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Over the last three years, Ria has dedicated
more than 1,200 hours of service, primarily
supporting our residents in Assisted Living.
She leads a variety of activities and comes
on nearly every trip, always going out of her
way to visit with residents to make them feel
special.
A dedicated nature photographer, Ria’s
work showcasing the natural setting of our
community hangs on the walls and hallways
of our assisted living neighborhoods.
Ria’s service as a volunteer is legendary,
because of the breadth and helpful spirit in
which it is given. It is a joy to know her, and to
recognize her!
Maria “Ria” Kavran

16. WESTMINSTER PLAZA
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Theo is a good-hearted person, a dedicated
volunteer and an ordained minister who finds
every opportunity to serve in our community.
After he moved to our community two
years ago, he has helped our chaplain with
spiritual life in our community, and has led
services himself on several occasions. Beyond
the spirit, he served on our Quality First
committee, helps with our bread and pastry
donations, and serves outside the community
to distribute food to the homeless.
As a volunteer, a minister and a veteran of
the U.S. Air Force, Theo has dedicated his life
to service. Thank you for contributing to our
community!
Theodore McLean

17. WESTMINSTER CANTERBURY
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Victor is an author and artist who had the
idea of offering art classes at Westminster
Canterbury to his fellow residents for the
last year. He instructs them in various art
techniques and helps them grow as artists. As
a result of his creativity, many of our residents
are now connected with new friends and their
social networks have grown.
Victor’s work has been featured in the
Westminster Retirement Communities
Foundation’s Art Show calendar and is
currently on display at the Daytona Beach Art
League.
We’re proud to be able to showcase Victor’s
work as Volunteer of the Year!
Victor Miller

18. RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN APARTMENTS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
After four years as our librarian, Kenneth
has worked hard to ensure that there are new
authors and new topics available to enhance
the intellectual wellbeing of our community.
A pastor and former hospital chaplain, he
also oversees a prayer group of residents
twice a month. Recently, he even stepped in
to serve as president of the Resident Council,
when the current president became unable
to serve. He makes the time to give rides to
doctors’ appointments and helps keep our flag
pole in good order. Our community is richer
for Kenneth’s tireless efforts, and we are so
appreciative of his service.
Kenneth Olsen

19. MAGNOLIA TOWERS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Nellie is a cornerstone of our community:
She plans potlucks and annual Christmas
caroling events, coordinates community
Bingo games, and works with the leaders of
her church to hold worship events throughout
the year. Recently, she began working in
the food pantry and now even runs it alone,
when called upon. For days leading up to the
annual event, she helps organize and support
our rummage sale. Nellie is a cheerleader
and a constant support for her neighbors and
friends.
Magnolia Towers is blessed to have Nellie,
and delighted she is our Volunteer of the Year.
Nereida “Nellie” Perez Ruiz

20. WESTMINSTER SUNCOAST
2018 Volunteer of the Year
If you can find a volunteer task that will
enhance life at our community, chances are
that Candy does it. She chairs our Resident
Council, helped re-engineer our new residents
welcome efforts, assists with our customer
service initiatives, and led the restructuring
of the Employee Appreciation Fund. Not
content for this to be enough, she manages
the Exchange Thrift Shop, performs with our
theater group, writes for the Suncoast Journal,
and supports our Elementary School Reading
Initiative.
Wherever we go, Candy helps, and our
community is immensely grateful for it.
Candy Porter

21. WESTMINSTER GARDENS
2018 Volunteer of the Year
Our community has more than 45 healthy
and happy finches, the fruits of many years
of Rebecca’s hard work. We received the
donation of an aviary in 2013, and a larger one
in 2016, with the agreement that a resident
volunteer would be responsible for it — and
Rebecca has spent three to four hours a day
nurturing these beautiful birds.
She has also led our movie nights, resident
birthday parties and exercise classes, and
assists with the ElderCare lunch programs.
Westminster Gardens is so fortunate to have
such a caring, dedicated volunteer.
Rebecca Porter

22. WESTMINSTER WINTER PARK
2018 Volunteer of the Year
When you think of Mickey, you’re
likely thinking of her as the community
photographer. She is an award-winning
photographer, it’s true — but she is also so
much more! She chairs our buildings and
grounds committee, calls Bingo, cooks and
bakes to share with her neighbors, and even
drives people to and from the airport. Very
often Mickey works behind the scenes to
help so many in our community, giving
her time and energy to making life more
interesting. She is reliable, flexible, has great
communication and organizational skills, and
is a person of great integrity. Congratulations!
Mickey Sullivan

23. WESTMINSTER ASBURY
2018 Volunteer of the Year
JoAnn takes great pride in helping others.
She says it’s her responsibility to help those
who need a little more support. She volunteers
at the Rockledge Regional Medical Center,
where she facilitates communication with
patients’ families. At our community, she has
been the South Building’s librarian, rotating
reading material and keeping the library
organized. She also helps us set up and break
down for dinners, supports our Bingo games,
transports residents to doctors’ appointments,
and volunteers in the Thrift Shop.
She was recently recognized for her
volunteerism at the local hospital, and now it’s
our turn to say: Thanks, JoAnn!
JoAnn Ware

24. WESTMINSTER ASBURY
2018 Volunteer of the Year
JoAnn takes great pride in helping others.
She says it’s her responsibility to help those
who need a little more support. She volunteers
at the Rockledge Regional Medical Center,
where she facilitates communication with
patients’ families. At our community, she has
been the South Building’s librarian, rotating
reading material and keeping the library
organized. She also helps us set up and break
down for dinners, supports our Bingo games,
transports residents to doctors’ appointments,
and volunteers in the Thrift Shop.
She was recently recognized for her
volunteerism at the local hospital, and now it’s
our turn to say: Thanks, JoAnn!
JoAnn Ware

25. Thank You!