Shepherd's Center celebrates 10th anniversary

Supervisor Cook presents a certificate of appreciation for the Shepherd's Center of Annandale-Springfield to the center's board chair, Dick Stewart. [Photos by Mary Ellen Dawley]

The Shepherd’s Center of Annandale-Springfield celebrated its 10th anniversary May 22 at the group’s Lunch N’ Life event at the United Baptist Church in Annandale.

The Shepherd’s Center aims to shape a new image of aging by providing an opportunity for older adults to be creative and productive through volunteering to help others. Several of those volunteers were honored at the luncheon.

Braddock Supervisor John Cook presented a certificate of appreciation to the group in recognition of its 10th anniversary. Rev. Wayne Yawn and Mike Collins from Rep. Gerry Connolly’s office also spoke to the group, and a letter from Mason Supervisor Penny Gross was read aloud.

The Harmony Heritage Singers perform at the Shepherd's Center luncheon.

One of the highlights of the luncheon was a performance by the Harmony Heritage Singers. The sang several songs a cappella, including “The House I Live In,” which was first performed by Frank Sinatra circa 1945. It is a plea for tolerance and understanding in the wake of the horrors of the Holocaust and other tragedies witnessed by soldiers in World War II.  Click here for a video of the performance on the Annandale Arts YouTube channel recorded by Mary Ellen Dawley.