Westminster Communities of Florida
Volunteers
of the Year

Volunteers of
the Year — 2019
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.

HUGH ASH MANOR
2019 Volunteer of the Year
Suzi saw a need for a group exercise
class that focused on balance and
functional mobility for her fellow
residents, who were living independently
but who may have difficulty getting
around in their home. As a retired
physical therapist, Suzi started offering
this class herself in 2017.
The class is offered to residents once a
week, free of charge. Suzi makes it fun,
with upbeat music and a group format.
We’re so thankful to her contributions
and that she shares her professional
expertise with the whole Hugh Ash
Manor family.
Suzi Backstrom

Our library has been transformed into a
well-organized and tranquil environment
for enrichment over the last several
years, thanks to Marie’s hard work. She
spends hours organizing and labeling
each book and author, helping her fellow
residents locate their favorites. An avid
reader and published author, Marie is
dedicated to making the library and our
whole community a better place to live.
Westminster Canterbury is very fortunate
to have such a caring, dedicated and hard-
working volunteer!
Marie Brack
WESTMINSTER CANTERBURY
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Marion is the silent doer, always
looking for another area where he can
contribute. He can be found painting
bollards, cleaning street signs, driving
the tram and much more. Recently,
he even found a way to help other
resident gardeners and save money by
repurposing earth piles created by the
campus infrastructure project to create
raised garden beds. He even helped move
the soil himself!
Marion’s service is legendary because
of its breadth and the helpful spirit with
which it is given. It’s no coincidence that
he is known as the “Mayor of Eastwood”!
Marion Broughton, Jr.
WESTMINSTER WOODS ON JULINGTON CREEK
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Wherever there is a need, Nadene
is there to fill it. She serves residents in
Assisted Living and the Health Center
by playing Bingo, running activities and
even assisting staff with administrative
tasks. At her church she serves as
treasurer, and in her spare time she knits
for various charities. In the last year
alone, she completed nearly 1,200 hours
of volunteer time.
Nadene exudes joy, patience, kindness,
and respect for those she assists, and
her example has made others better
volunteers. She is a true servant
volunteer!
Nadene Brown
WESTMINSTER MANOR – BRADENTON
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Katie is a prime example of how we
should all live by the Golden Rule in
how we treat others. As a floor captain,
she keeps a watchful eye to ensure that
everyone is safe and well cared for.
She also gives endlessly of her time,
delivering meals as often as three times
daily to her fellow residents, plus calling
Bingo and assisting with Communion
services. Residents who need
transportation to a doctor’s appointment
know they can count on asking Katie for
help.
We are thankful that Katie is willing to
help at any time, whether it’s the simplest
need or the largest project.
Katie Bruski
RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN HOUSE
2019 Volunteer of the Year

A true servant leader, right now Karen
is the secretary of the Resident Council,
chairs the Employee Scholarship
Committee and the committee revising
the Resident Handbook — just to name
a few. She also serves on the board for
PACE for Girls, is an instructor for
Catch Healthy Habits, and is an active
member of the American Association
of University Women and The Women’s
Club of Winter Park. With all of that she
still finds time to be a member of our
mini-golf team and teaches a monthly
cooking class.
Karen is a valued member of our
Westminster Winter Park family.
Karen Buchan
WESTMINSTER WINTER PARK
2019 Volunteer of the Year

With an incredible dedication to
volunteer service and a background
in health care and regional planning,
Marie has been an invaluable member
of our community for many years.
Recently, she reviewed and edited the
resident handbooks for Assisted Living
and the Bertrand Health Center. She
serves on at least six committees and is
a past president of the Resident Council.
If that wasn’t enough, she serves on
several boards and committees at Florida
State University and the city and state.
Marie is a tireless worker for health,
safety and welfare of others. For all
of her contributions, she deserves our
recognition.
Marie Cowart
WESTMINSTER OAKS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Alan chairs our Community
Development Committee, and serves
on the Garden, Library and Resident
Activities committees, plus the
Foundation Support Team. A disabled
veteran himself, Alan organizes our
annual veterans’ service. Currently he
is also the president of our Florida Life
Care Residents Association chapter.
Alan’s creative spark, his obvious love for
people, his humor and sunny disposition,
a refusal to be defined by either age or
disability, and his willingness to “pitch
in,” all make him an amazing volunteer.
Alan Cutter
WESTMINSTER SUNCOAST
2019 Volunteer of the Year

This year, Donna was voted
unanimously to be our Volunteer of the
Year. She is selfless in giving her time,
unfailing in helping her neighbors while
never asking anything for herself. Donna
provides transportation for shopping and
doctors’ visits to her fellow residents. She
cooks and delivers food to anyone who is
ill or who comes back from the hospital.
With their permission, she’ll even say the
appropriate prayers or blessings for any
who need it.
For being an incredible neighbor and a
wonderful member of the Westminster
Manor family, we’re delighted to give her
this honor.
Donna Drotleff
WESTMINSTER MANOR – FORT WALTON BEACH
2019 Volunteer of the Year

From the moment she moved into our
community, Loretta has generously given
her time to many different causes. She
is always the first to jump in! She plans
seasonal decorations for our common
areas, many of which she personally
makes herself. She “recruits” assistants
to encourage participation by others.
Additionally, she offers her time in a
variety of ways: Working in the library,
assisting the Resident Council with many
activities, supporting Meals on Wheels
and more. Loretta is always ready to lend
a helping hand to a neighbor in need. Her
contributions to Westminster Gardens are
immeasurable and create an atmosphere
where all are welcome.
Loretta Edwards
WESTMINSTER GARDENS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Carolyn spends countless hours looking
into ways to make our community the
very best it can be. Her excitement for
serving is infectious and makes a lasting
impression on everyone she meets.
Currently she serves as the Floor Host
chair, is the Secretary on the Spiritual
Life Committee and is a member of the
Food Committee.
Carolyn not only volunteers her time,
but inspires others to also make an
impact. Her daily efforts encompass our
Eight Dimensions of Wellbeing and our
Mission to serve.
Carolyn Holland
WESTMINSTER TOWERS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Helping people is Bill’s #1 reason for
being in this world. A retired minister
and former board member for our
organization for 17 years, Bill moved to
Westminster Shores and immediately
took up volunteering in the community.
He serves on the Resident Council, is a
member of our Habitat for Humanity
team, chairs our Great Discussions
program and so much more. Bill is also
a great contributor to our faith-based
Mission and spiritual life, serving as a
liturgist and preacher at services in the
chapel, and teaching Sunday School at his
church.
Bill Hull
WESTMINSTER SHORES
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Robert is always kind and willing to
go the extra mile in extending a helping
hand around the community. He assists
with our Manna food pantry program,
sets up and supports our weekly Bingo
games. Robert also helps with bread
donation deliveries, and volunteers
with our door card monitoring system,
in which the residents check on each
other. Robert takes pride in his ability to
volunteer his services in helping others.
Robert Jackson
WESTMINSTER VILLAGE
2019 Volunteer of the Year

In just a short two years, Jude has made
an enormous impact on the lives of her
fellow residents in our community. As
the president of the Resident Council,
she leads meetings and organizes our
efforts with professionalism. She also
works diligently to recruit new volunteers
to help out in the community when
they move in. Jude also gives her time
to make our neighborhood in Sarasota
a better place, serving on the Laurel
Park Association and Rosemary District
Board. Jude makes the community a
wonderful place to live and consistently
increases the size of our volunteer base.
Judith “Jude” Levy
JEFFERSON CENTER
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Susan has a passion for the wellbeing of
all residents at our community. Recently
she was instrumental in planning and
implementing a variety of Creating
Community events. She even took
photographs of 57 pairs of hands to make
a 12 foot banner! She also serves on the
Resident Council, writes and photographs
for the Echo, supports fundraising for
the Employee Scholarship Fund, hosts
Newcomers events, works as a floor
representative, and helps with our Quality
of Life Surveys. Susan also volunteers at
several local organizations and is very
active in her church.
Susan Moore
WESTMINSTER POINT PLEASANT
2019 Volunteer of the Year

A kind and compassionate person,
Annie is the type of person that
would give the shirt off her back to
help someone, without asking why or
expecting anything in return. She assists
at Westminster Asbury in a variety of
ways, from helping to set up for events, to
doing laundry and cooking for her fellow
residents when they’re unable. She also
volunteers regularly at House of Hope in
Merritt Island, serving the homeless.
In every interaction with Annie, we find
ourselves with more than we originally
sought.
Annie Robbins
WESTMINSTER ASBURY
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Since arriving at our community four
years ago, Michel has been donating
her time and money to help support
the needs of her fellow residents. She
saw a great need, so she co-founded
our Special Needs Committee! Michel
is the Treasurer and says that, since its
inception in 2018, the committee has
received $2,111.25 in donations and has
paid out more than $1,300 for insulin
needles, medications, a medical boot,
shower chairs and more. Michel also gives
of her time to support others in need. She
weaves and knits goods for the homeless,
helping make our greater community a
better place.
Michel Rose
COLLEGE ARMS TOWERS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

A past Volunteer of the Year, we’re
recognizing Lil for her incredible
contributions in coming out of
“retirement” to take back over our food
pantry program, which she helped run
for more than 14 years. Her work with
this program provides vital support for
those among us in need, and she has
been able to recruit more volunteers.
Now more residents are participating
than ever! Lil also decorates her floor for
each and every holiday, bringing cheer to
her neighbors.
We’re doubly thankful now that Lil is
part of the Magnolia Towers family. Our
community is a better place with her!
Lillian “Lil” Sangster
MAGNOLIA TOWERS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Kathleen has dedicated her life to
serving others through her love of the
arts. It is a gift to the whole Westminster
St. Augustine family — and greater
St. Augustine! She has conducted and
accompanied many community choirs,
serves as music director at her church,
and directs the St. Augustine Chamber
Singers. She’s even the secretary of
a civic group seeking to build a new
performing arts center in St. Augustine.
Her outgoing, warm and fun personality
is a joy to be around and she glows with
a forever youthful spirit from within.
Kathleen embodies a life full of wellbeing
of body, mind and soul, and inspires
others to do the same!
Kathleen Vande Berg
WESTMINSTER ST. AUGUSTINE
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Our community and our neighborhood
are a better place because of Barbara’s
service. She attends City Council and Five
Points Improvement meetings, with the
goal of having a crosswalk at the corner
of Lomax Street and Oak Street. She also
meets with leaders of various groups and
hosts events for the causes she holds dear.
Most importantly, Barbara has a caring
heart. She works hard to get great turnout
for resident activities, going door-to-door
to inform her neighbors about upcoming
events and asking for their feedback on
what they would like to see going on.
Barbara is the treasure of our Resident
Council!
Barbara Ventimiglia
RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN APARTMENTS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Celso is willing to help with anything!
Shortly after our previous gardener
became sick and couldn’t take care of
the Resident Garden any longer, Celso
jumped right in to fill their shoes. He
took on the whole trowel of daily tasks,
from watering the plants, to pulling
weeds and removing any over grown
shrubbery. He does all this in spite of his
many time commitments and being the
caregiver for his wife.
Under his dedicated care, the Resident
Garden looks better than ever! We’re
so thankful for Celso’s drive to make
Westminster Plaza better.
Celso Villa
WESTMINSTER PLAZA
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Carol Lee is a consummate volunteer,
exemplifying the spirit that motivates our
volunteers. Since January 2012 she has
reported more than 1,300 volunteer hours.
Most recently, she was the driving force
behind “Sunday Morning Fellowship,” a
weekly spiritual program for the Health
Center. She has served on numerous
resident committees, including Resident
Council, Library, Gift Shop, Choir and
more. She is also a generous caretaker
of her neighbors and inspires others to
volunteer. Her nominators described Carol
Lee as “a wonderful help in time of need”
and “our ambassador of good cheer and
kindness!” We agree. Congratulations!
Carol Lee Wathen
WESTMINSTER PALMS
2019 Volunteer of the Year

Thank You!