Glebe resident Linda Fleshman’s cool blue watercolors create a wintry wonderland on this year’s LifeSpire holiday card. But don’t look for anything too traditional or busy here. 

 “It’s calm,” noted another resident about the painting. “Just like Linda.” 

Linda says she was surprised to have her art selected for this year’s card, but truly enjoyed painting the serene subject. “I’ve always enjoyed doing something with trees. I liked the star… the starlight made the ground seem like snow. And I loved the meaning of the star, pointing to the birth of Christ.”  

For almost two years now, Linda has been bringing her calm creativity to Saturday morning painting classes at The Glebe. Taught by Peggy DeHart, a resident and a former school art teacher, the class is open to eight students each week. Some are regulars, some are first-timers, but all contribute to what Peggy calls “an art program to make stronger bonds within the community.”  

When Peggy moved to The Glebe two and a half years ago, her time as an activity director at a retirement community inspired her to start the painting class. With support from The Glebe staff and shared art supplies from her sister, she designs each class project as a greeting card to use for celebration, comfort or cementing friendships. “Our homemade pictures in watercolor, acrylic or ink are about learning new techniques to make sharable art.” And greeting cards, she says, “are the ebb and flow of our community.” 

Linda Fleshman always liked doing creative activities but had not taken painting classes since college. The small class size at The Glebe helped her find the courage to start again. And for those who might be intimidated by painting? “Don’t be afraid to try!” she quickly advises. “I’ve been surprised at how much better my work can look than I expected.” 

Linda estimates that she’s created about 25 paintings in the class over time. But artistic progress is not the only draw for her on Saturday mornings. “It’s fun!” she says. “It’s a very interesting group of people to work with. And by now we’re all good friends.”  

During construction at The Glebe, the painting class has relocated to temporary quarters in the community room. The resident artists look forward to working in a brand-new art studio as part of the planned community center renovation and expansion, coming in 2025. 

We salute all the LifeSpire residents who share their time and talents to help build one another up, form friendships and create a true community. Thank you! 

How IRA RMDs Can Support LifeSpire of Virginia’s Mission

As the season of giving approaches, many of our supporters at LifeSpire of Virginia are looking for ways to contribute to our mission of enriching the lives of our residents. One often overlooked yet highly effective method is giving through Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs). This approach not only benefits LifeSpire of Virginia but also offers significant tax advantages to the donors.

Understanding IRA RMDs

If you have an IRA, upon reaching the age of 73, the IRS mandates the withdrawal of a certain amount of money through the RMD, which is typically subject to income tax, potentially impacting your financial planning and tax situation. The Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) allows you to direct an RMD to a qualified charity, such as LifeSpire and its communities, without it being counted as taxable income.

If you are age 73 or older with an IRA, you can direct a RMD of up to $100,000.

If you are between the ages of 70 ½ and 73, you can direct a RMD up to a maximum of $105,000 (in 2024).

A gift of any amount offers you a tax advantage while making a difference at LifeSpire.

How to Make a QCD to LifeSpire of Virginia

Reach out to your IRA custodian to inform them of your intention to make a QCD. They will provide the necessary forms and instructions to complete the transfer. All charitable gifts are received through the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation

Legal name: Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation
Legal address: 3961 Stillman Parkway,
Glen Allen, VA 23060
Federal tax ID number: 52-1373103

Please let us know about your generous contribution so we can appropriately acknowledge your support and ensure it is directed according to your wishes.

LifeSpire of Virginia is deeply grateful for the generosity of our donors. By choosing to give through your IRA RMD, you not only support our mission but also become part of a legacy of caring and compassion that impacts the lives of many. We encourage you to consult with your financial advisor or tax professional to determine how a QCD can fit into your charitable giving and financial planning strategy. For more information or assistance with making a QCD, please contact Jodi Leonard, Vice President, Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation at (804) 521-9213

Every year, the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation raises over a million dollars to benefit seniors in all of our communities, thanks to those committed to taking care of residents who need assistance.  Donors to the Benevolent Fund provide security and peace of mind to residents who, through no fault of their own, need additional financial resources for their care and stay.  Last year, 43 residents were provided with benevolent support. 

Supporting the Benevolent Fund in your community helps residents like George and Susan.  They moved into their community after a lifetime well spent serving their church in leadership roles.  As LifeSpire residents for over a decade, they are even more certain of their good decision to live at LifeSpire.  Along the way, they realized it would be necessary to request financial assistance through the Benevolent Fund.  The Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation stepped in to provide the support they needed.

“We will always be grateful for that.”

Your gift to the Benevolent Fund will put the “love” in Benevolence and support residents like George and Susan.  Help us continue this tradition with a gift to your community’s Benevolent Fund through the VBH Foundation.  Gifts can be made securely online at https://lifespireliving.org/fall-2024-giving/ or you can give us a call at 804-521-9213.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

LifeSpire of Virginia and the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation are pleased to announce the 2024 scholarship recipients. A total of $35,000 was awarded to 43 eligible individuals. The scholarships are funded by the Employee Education Fund. 

The fund provides financial assistance for team members towards two- and four-year higher education degrees. Support is awarded with grants for college-bound team members, and their children and grandchildren. 

The VBH Foundation’s Employee Education Fund provides awards on an annual basis. The fund relies on the generosity of donors for sustainability. The LifeSpire team is grateful for the kindness of residents, families and colleagues who give to the Foundation to assist team members financially with scholarships and crisis awards. To learn more about the programs providing support to team members, visit https://lifespireliving.org/give/employee-support/ 

Lakewood:

The Chesapeake:

The Glebe:

The Summit:

The Culpeper:

If you’re thinking about your future career path, consider the benefits of working in senior care. Aside from the competitive pay and health benefits, working in senior care can be extremely rewarding. Whether at a life plan community, or providing care at home, many of these positions provide flexible schedules, job security and opportunities for growth. Keep reading for more reasons why working in senior care could be the right career move for you.  

Why Work in Senior Care?

Competitive Benefits

Many life plan communities offer team members competitive pay and benefits, including generous time off, health and dental benefits. Plus, some communities even offer career development opportunities and tuition reimbursement so you can continue learning.  

A Variety of Career Opportunities

At a life plan community, there are also opportunities for nursing, housekeeping, culinary, and administration positions that can make a difference as well. You can pursue your passions while also helping seniors in a warm and welcoming environment. 

Connecting with Residents

When working with seniors, especially at a life plan community that becomes their home, you get to know the residents. You get to hear their stories and learn about their lives and their families. From retired military officers and teachers, professors, artists and business leaders, our residents offer a wealth of life experiences and perspectives that contribute to the camaraderie and richness of our communities.

Flexible Scheduling

Senior care isn’t always a standard 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. workday. Life plan communities provide support around the clock, so if you need to work nights, mornings or afternoons, full-time or part-time, you have options. 

Job Security 

The number of seniors in the U.S. is growing and so is the need for senior care. According to Pew Research Center, the number of U.S. residents age 65 and older is expected to be almost 22% of the population by the year 2050. This means that you don’t have to worry about job security due to the increasing anticipated need.

Make a Difference

One of the most rewarding parts of working in senior care is feeling like you are making a difference in the lives of these people. Providing quality care, making sure residents are safe, even just taking the time to say hello and ask about their day, it means the world to our residents and their families. See how some of our team members have made a difference.

Overall, if you are looking for a career path you can feel good about, with generous benefits, job security and flexible scheduling, then a career in senior care might be for you

View our careers page to see our current job openings at our life plan community and apply today.

Did you know that August is National Make-A-Will month? Use this annual reminder to make or review your last will and testament. Here are three great reasons to do this today:

1. It’s an important legal document that everyone should have.

All adults should have a will. It’s a powerful document that lets you distribute your property according to your wishes and it protects your loved ones after you pass away. Only one-third of all American adults have a will, are you part of that third?

2. It provides peace of mind for you and your family.

Creating a will prevents family conflict, eliminates confusion, and ensures your assets go to the people you most want to have them. It also gives your family guidance and reassurance that they can fulfill your wishes during what is likely a very difficult time for them. With a will, you can also plan for those who are in your care, even for your pets! The logistical benefits of having a will are important. But above all else, having a will creates peace of mind for you and the people you love.

3. It lets you create a legacy that lasts beyond your lifetime.

There are many different ways you can use your will to benefit a charity, such as your community or the VBH Foundation. You can give cash, stock, real estate property, and more. Leaving a gift in your will costs you nothing during your lifetime but will ensure that you can make a positive impact on causes close to your heart for years to come.

Already made your will? This month, take a few minutes to look it over and make sure it’s up to date with your current preferences. Life brings changes – it’s important that your will reflects those changes, too. Visit https://vbh.planmylegacy.org/ for estate planning resources, including sample language for your will, a Guide to Making Your Will, and a Personal Estate Planning Kit. If you have chosen to extend your donation to the Foundation by including us in your will, thank you! Please let us know so that we can welcome you into a special group of supporters. Contact Jodi Leonard in the Foundation at 804-521-9213.

Faith is central to the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation.  In 1949, the pastor of Culpeper Baptist Church founded what eventually became Virginia Baptist Homes and then LifeSpire of Virginia, and while our roots are in the Baptist tradition, today each community welcomes and celebrates the people of our community from every faith and background. 

Chaplains are available at each community, serving as resources for residents, families and their fellow team members. Chaplains support the spiritual journey of everyone, offering blessings in times of joy and celebration, and encouragement in times of crisis, need and bereavement.

In 2020, the Virginia Baptist Homes (VBH) Foundation created the Spiritual Life Fund to support and expand the faith-based programs and the people providing those services within our communities. Linking back to the original mission of the organization, the Spiritual Life Fund supports the mission and vision of LifeSpire, which includes envisioning a future where faith, wellness and community spirit lead the way.

Your gifts to the Spiritual Life Fund support the chaplains and the spiritual enrichment programs in each LifeSpire community. Spiritual Life Fund grants are made available annually to pay for resources which each community can use for that spiritual enrichment.

Gifts to the Spiritual Life Fund have funded:

• songbooks and supplies for a new Taizé worship and prayer experience
• grief and bereavement support resources
• supplies for Advent and Christmas devotions for the residents in Memory Support, Assisted Living and Health Care
• new sets of chimes to be used in worship services and other musical offering opportunities
• a new set of seasonal banners and worship paraments to bring color and life to worship experiences

One community recently offered a lecture series from Rabbi Dr. Michael Panitz on World Religions. Over 65 residents attended and many remarked that they enjoyed the presentations immensely. Two residents commented on why they enjoyed the series:

“Rabbi Panitz has so much knowledge, and yet he makes the information understandable and engaging. He helps us learn why people believe the way they do and helps inform how we see the world. His series is so timely and I’m so glad to have heard him speak.”

“I love that our community offers faith-based programs like these, giving us an opportunity to learn new things and expand our awareness. Not all senior living communities have faith-based programming, and it’s one of the reasons why I chose to live here.”

To learn more about the Spiritual Life Fund, please visit www.lifespireliving.org/give/spiritual-life/ or call 804-521-9213 for more information.

Naming a loved one or a favorite nonprofit in your estate plans or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan assets is a heartfelt way to make a lasting impact. Go one step further and tell those beneficiaries about the choices you’ve made.

Many people and charities aren’t aware that they have been named to receive a gift. Informing them helps preserve your intentions and ensures that your beneficiaries are able to follow your wishes.

Protect the people and causes you love by following these simple steps:

1. Review your beneficiary designations periodically. Life changes and so might your decisions about who should receive your assets.

2. Alert your beneficiaries that you have a life insurance policy or have named them in your will or as a beneficiary of a retirement plan.

3. Share the location and details of the policy or plan with them.

As you update your beneficiary designations, consider making a gift of a life insurance policy or retirement plan to a LifeSpire of Virginia community so that we can continue our mission of providing for seniors in need. Then notify us of your decision so that we can carry out your wishes as intended and thank you for your gift.

We Want to Hear From You

If you have already named a LifeSpire of Virginia community or the Virginia Baptist Homes Foundation in your estate plans or as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement plan assets, please contact us at (804) 521-9213 or email [email protected] today. If you are still creating your estate plan, we would be happy to answer any questions you may have about making this type of gift. For more information visit https://vbh.planmylegacy.org/beneficiary-designations

Content courtesy of Stelter – our partner in Legacy Giving