The Sarah Community commemorates its induction of the first AMVETS Post in the nation originated inside a retirement community during an opening ceremony on the afternoon of July 31. The faith-based Life Plan retirement community (formerly known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)), collaborated with AMVETS to create AMVETS Post 122 to enhance the quality of life for 20 veterans currently residing within the retirement community and for other veterans from the surrounding areas. It will honor the vitality and service of veterans with a mission “To Protect and Serve Seniors,” bringing veterans together to help identify and address the needs of their fellow veterans.
“We are incredibly honored to become the first retirement community in the nation with an onsite AMVETS post,” said executive director of The Sarah Community Mary Beth Hunter. “This is just the latest example of the how the dynamic community strives to expand the bounds of what is typically expected within a senior living environment.”
The highly anticipated event features speakers from The Sarah Community (TSC); Sr. Judith Bell, TSC Board President, Bridgeton Mayor Terry Briggs; U.S. Congressman Lacy Clay; AMVETS 1st District Commander Robert E. Lee and Missouri State Commander for AMVETS Jerry Sampson. Residents and staff at The Sarah Community and other guests from the surrounding community will look on as new officers are sworn in, the new post flag is officially presented and a proclamation during the opening ceremony recognizes AMVETS Post 122 as a viable, new, innovative program and proclaim July 31st as AMVETS Post 122 Day.
“This is going to be pretty nice for the veterans,” said AMVETS Missouri State Commander Jerry Sampson. “We like to try to acknowledge them, so they are not forgotten, and their contributions are remembered.”
Since its inception, AMVETS (American Veterans), a Congressionally-chartered veteran’s service organization, has represented the interests of 20 million former veterans of the United States Armed Services nationwide. With more than 250,000 current members nationwide, AMVETS provides the best model for veterans serving fellow veterans. AMVETS Post 122 will meet the last Friday of the month and is open not only to the veterans residing at The Sarah Community but members of the community at large.
The Sarah Community is located at 12284 DePaul Drive, Bridgeton, MO, 63044. To learn more about AMVETS Post 122 within The Sarah Community, call (314) 745-5067 or go to www.thesarahcommunity.org
The Sarah Community is a non-profit, faith based Life Plan retirement community located in Bridgeton, Mo., that offers older adults access to retirement apartments, assisted living, skilled nursing care and Short term Rehabilitation through the Naomi, Veronica and Anna Houses, respectively. It was founded in 1997 through the collaboration of five Catholic religious congregations, including The Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, Fanciscan Sisters of Mary, Religious of the Sacred Heart, School Sisters of Notre Dame and the Sisters of Loretto. The Sarah Community was developed and is managed by St. Andrew’s Management Services.
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For more information, contact:
Julie Hauser
The Hauser Group, Inc.
(314) 436-9090