Residents, team members and local civic leaders marked the occasion with outdoor evening celebration
WINTER PARK, April 18, 2024 – With an outdoor festival and a special pronouncement of congratulations from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, Westminster Winter Park celebrated Westminster Communities of Florida’s 70th anniversary of serving older adults with more than 250 attendees and guests.
The organization, first established as a ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA) as Presbyterian Homes of the Synod of Florida, began its service when the Life Plan Community today known as Westminster Manor opened in 1961. Westminster Winter Park, its second community, was founded in 1965. Today Westminster Communities of Florida has 23 communities spanning the state of Florida, serving more than 7,000 residents with 2,300 team members.
Scott Cairns, Executive Director of Westminster Winter Park, thanked the attendees with a word of welcome. “Thank you to all of those who will be celebrating today for being a special part of our first 70 years,” Cairns said.
“I think every year is special here at Westminster, but this year is our platinum anniversary year! I am so happy to be here and celebrating with you tonight,” said Chief Executive Officer Terry Rogers.
Demings brought a special congratulatory congratulating Westminster Communities of Florida for the occasion. “There’s a great group of people who work here and who live here to make this a wonderful place,” said Demings.
Attendees also enjoyed an invocation by the Rev. Jeff Parkkila, Chaplain at Westminster Winter Park, and the Rev. Maynard Pittendreigh, a retired minister, and a program featuring congratulatory remarks from Betsy Gardner, President of the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, and Residents’ Council Chairperson Sandy Dooley.
Following the ceremony, residents, future residents and team members enjoyed an evening of outdoor live entertainment and games under the shade of one of the community’s majestic trees. Attendees enjoyed a variety of delicious appetizers provided by the Westminster Winter Park Dining Services team, including a trio of sliders, crab cakes, pretzel bites and special-made desserts.
Westminster Communities of Florida, the state’s largest not-for-profit provider of active senior living, emphasizes whole-person wellbeing for its older adult residents. With communities in Bradenton, Jacksonville, Lakeland, Orlando, St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, Tallahassee and Winter Park, the organization serves more than 7,000 residents statewide with a lifestyle featuring active living, wellness and lifelong learning.
