Marta Hill Gray, President of Culpepper Garden, welcomes the crowd to the BBQ & Bloom’s Bash on Saturday, June 6.
Culpepper Garden held its annual fundraising BBQ and Blooms Bash on Saturday, June 6. While the event was held indoors at Rock Spring United Church of Christ, the room was scattered with oversized daffodils evoking the spacious grounds at Culpepper Garden.
It was a festive occasion with a photo booth just inside the door occupied by two ACPD officers choosing from among a variety of props offered to enhance your persona for a free take-home photo. Other Arlington first responders were scattered around the room including Chief Andy Penn.
ACPD Deputy Chief David Giroux says, “This is always one of our favorite events of the year.”
The Starlight Orchestra was playing background music while the crowd decided whether to supplement their potato salad and baked beans with shredded pork or chicken, salmon or slices of tender brisket provided by Mission BBQ. Others in the crowd browsed the auction items to decide between A Luxury DC Escape, Livin’ the Pie Life, fitness classes, Meadow Farms and many more offerings.
Starlight Orchestra strikes up “Donate. Donate. Donate on the River,” for a bus appeal to raise $5,000
Marta Hill Gray, Culpepper president, welcomed the group. “This is the highlight of the year. All of my favorite people are here — our first responders, my Board members, the staff and those who have supported us through the year. The Board keeps us on track; they are critical to our success.”
She added that Goodwin Health is now in the building. Residents come up really excited about how this has improved their life.
“We are entering a new era. We are raising the bar.”
State Senator Barbara Favola, who has been on the Culpepper Board for 10 years, said, “Culpepper has resident-centered services; they know every resident, what’s going on so the residents get what they need to thrive, not just survive.” Favola continues that no other organization fills this role and explains how important it is to have this organization in our own backyard offering seniors independence.
Favola introduces Del. Patrick Hope who was presenting the Legacy of Grace Awards to three important philanthropic partners whose contributions have greatly enhanced the Culpepper Garden mission: Dr. Robert Breiner and Bartlett Collins Naylor as well as Virginia Housing. “The best part is handing out the awards. And I always say we need more Culpeppers, just like this one, around Virginia.”
Jane Hess Collins, Master of Ceremony, described the new 15-passenger bus that had travelled 450 miles providing 47 discrete residents with 166 trips since January. She explained the evening’s bus appeal was to raise $5,000 which will be matched by an anonymous donor and will allow the bus to operate for the next six months.
“They’ve told me I need to stand up here and talk until we raise it.” But in a few minutes Collins turned instead to the Starlight Orchestra who were providing free music for the event.
“I want you to choose a song right now that will motivate people to donate.” After a brief consultation, the instruments started up and the lead singer belted out, “Donate. Donate. Donate on the river ….”
Culpepper Garden is an award winning low-income retirement independent living community in Arlington. BBQ & Blooms is their annual fundraising event.