Presented by Independence Blue Cross
September 14, 2023
Years of aging with you!
Congratulations to the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) on 50 years of exceptional service to Philadelphia’s seniors.
BAYADA Home Health Care is honored to be a proud partner of the PCA since 1976.
BAYADA Home Health Aide Vida O. with her client Virginia S.
“50 Years of Aging with You” reflects a golden legacy. Five decades of service to older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities; more than 200 collaborations with likeminded organizations across Pennsylvania; over 30 person-centered programs tailored to the genuine needs of PCA consumers, all implemented by a cumulative roster of 3500 dedicated human services professionals employed by PCA since its inception. It means 3 million callers provided with information, assistance and referrals; 43 million nutritious meals distributed to those who are food insecure. It’s 1 million older Philadelphians assisted with Medicare counseling to help them navigate the system; 50,000 reports of elder abuse investigated by our protective services unit; 28,000 homes improved due to critical modifications and repairs being completed, and 28 senior centers or satellite meal locations across the city providing refuge and community for an hour, or the day. It means these things and so much more!
As PCA approaches our actual anniversary date of December 3, 2023, let us all take tremendous pride in our accomplishments, not the least of which is the Rodney D.Williams Philadelphia Fund for Seniors. Renamed for PCA’s first President and CEO, this fund supports the vital, basic services PCA provides to help older adults maintain their maximum levels of health and productivity, and to age in place in the community. This is why we are here this evening. To celebrate and appreciate five decades of colleagues, advisory councils, board members, collaborators, partners, supporters and consumers who helped bring us to this point in our journey.
This is what “50 Years of Aging with You” looks like, and still the promise of a very bright future. We ask that you continue to stay connected and engaged as PCA commits to even more in the next 50.
Best wishes and thank you,
President and CEO
Sandra McNally, Chair
Carl W. Bailey
Joseph J. DiMeo Jr.
Teresa Elliott
Florence Gallagher
Frederick Lewis
David Nevison
Vera Tolbert
Linda Tyler
Heshie Zinman
Nida Imperial Satya B. Verma, OD, Chair Glenn D. Bryan, Vice Chair Louis G. Colbert, Treasurer Louis A. Bove, Esq. Nora Dowd Eisenhower, Esq. Lynn Fields Harris Sandra McNally Paul Nathanson John Whitman Eloise N. Young Jacqueline S. Zinn, Ph.D. Angela ForeshawRouse, Secretary Katherine E. Galluzzi, DO, FACOFP Emeritus: Arthur E. Helfand, D.P.M.
Philadelphia has among the highest proportion of older adults living in poverty of any of the 10 largest cities in the U.S. Approximately 135,814 (43%) of older Philadelphians (60+) live at less than 200% of the federal poverty level.
In 2014, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA) established the Philadelphia Fund for Seniors to supplement public funding that had not kept pace with the growing needs of older Philadelphians. Following the passing of Rodney D. Williams, PCA’s first president and CEO, in 2020, the fund was renamed in his honor to highlight Rodney’s legacy as an advocate for older adults and their needs, and to continue the work he began nearly 50 years ago.
Each gift to the Rodney D. Williams Philadelphia Fund for Seniors helps to support PCA’s mission of improving the quality of life for older Philadelphians and adults with disabilities living in Philadelphia by providing them with assistance to achieve their maximum level of health, independence and productivity. Contributions to the fund help PCA to provide a number of supports to those in need.
With a career spanning over three decades, retired, Emmy award-winning journalist Lisa Thomas-Laury is recognized for her groundbreaking work as the first African American female anchor in the Philadelphia market. In fact, in 1978, she became the youngest news anchor in Philadelphia when she began working at ABC affiliate, WPVI-Channel 6, as a reporter and co-anchor of Action News at noon. Considered a local hero, Thomas-Laury also authored a book that chronicled her life, titled, “On Camera and Off.” It was conceived to provide hope and motivation to others suffering from chronic illnesses to encourage them to live their best lives and to help them navigate our nation’s challenging health care system.
Vernon Odom can still be considered the “voice” of Philadelphia. His 40-year journalism career placed him right in the middle of our country’s most turbulent times. He was radio broadcasting in Atlanta when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. He covered the civil rights movement in the south and every presidential campaign from Ford to Obama. In his retirement, Odom remains committed to the Philadelphia community.
While taking in the fantastic skyline view and indulging in the delectable food and refreshing cocktails, we hope you enjoy the incredible sounds of this year’s entertainment. The true highlight of the night will be the Latininfluenced jazz music provided by Glenn Bryan & Friends. PCA Board Vice Chair Glenn Bryan is a classically trained keyboardist and a former PCA staffer. Steadfast in his commitment to the city of brotherly love, Bryan now serves as the University of Pennsylvania’s Assistant Vice President of Community Relations of the Office of Government and Community Affairs.
Group members from left to right are: Lee Patterson on bass, Jordan Damiani on guitar, Anessa Larae on vocals, Glenn Bryan on keyboards, Ricardo Morales on percussion, Robert Landum on saxophone, and Kevin James on drums.
Presenting Sponsor
Independence Blue Cross
Gold
Icare Home Health LLC.
Highmark Wholecare
Mendoza Group
The Nutrition Group
Silver
Always Best Care Senior Services
A-Team Home Care
Eden Home Care
In memory of Jack Belitsky
Holly Lange
NewCourtland
Peter & Jennifer Paradiso
Trinity Health PACE
Willis Towers Watson
Sapphire
AARP
InnovAge
Innovations Home Care Inc.
Jefferson Health Plans
Laredo Mechanical
PCOM Geriatrics & Palliative Care
Philadelphia Foundation
Philadelphia Phillies
Copper
Dunleavy & Associates
ePlus Technology, Inc.
James Branch Cleaning Services
Lyquix
Michael Beaumont General Contractor
Pann Asian Senior Services
Wojdak Government Services
Bronze Ardmore Toyota
Cardinal USA Fuel Oil
Cobra Electric
Law Offices of Debra G. Speyer, Esq.
Loving Care Senior Services
Main Line Health
Najja R. Orr, MDA, DBA
Salus University
SquareOne
Telesystems
The Labov Plumbing & Heating Supply, Inc.
Thurston Charitable Foundation
True Care Home Care
UPMC Health Plan
Supporters
Betty Jo Robinson
Bodell Bove, LLC
Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of Elders (CARIE)
Center in the Park
Collaborative Consulting
Commonwealth Consultants Inc.
David & Linda Guendelsberger
David Nevison
Delaware County Office of Services for the Aging (COSA)
Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions
Eloise Young
Emerald Business Supply
Grant Thornton
Home Instead
Jack Edmonson Plumbing
Jean Hemphill
Joel TeBeest
John Whitman
Louis Colbert
Mary Fallon
Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company/Laury
Financial
Nayda Pagan-Piazza
Pearl Graub Goldstein
Pennsylvania Home Care, LLC.
Sandra McNally
Securitas Security USA
Successful Aging
Temple University School of Social Work
UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Office of Government and Community Affairs
UUH Outreach
VitaCare Home Health Agency
Laura Weinbaum
Willo Carey
Workplace Central
PCA Alumni
Ann Danish
Betty Jo Robinson
Constance M. Jones
David Nevison
Glenn Bryan
Holly Lange
Linda Anderson
Louis Colbert
Mary Mullen
Neysa Clarkson
Nayda Pagan-Piazza
Pat Funaro
Pearl Graub Goldstein
Susan Klein
Steve Touzell
6:00 p.m.
Cocktail reception
Silent auction
Photos with Co-Grand Marshals, Lisa Thomas-Laury & Vernon Odom
6:45 p.m.
Welcome by Najja R. Orr, MBA, DBA, President and CEO
PCA 50th anniversary timeline video
Greeting from Satya B. Verma, OD, FAAO, DPNAP, PCA Board Chair
Laura Weinbaum, COO
Joel TeBeest, CFO
Remarks from Presenting Sponsor
Independence Blue Cross
Kortney Cruz, Senior Vice President, Government Markets
7:30 p.m.
Auction bidding closes; winning bidders posted
8:00 p.m.
Event concludes
•2 tickets to Eagles game in Eagles Suite w/parking [Donated by Fox29/ Mendoza] Value $3000
•A week in Ireland at your own 2-bedroom cottage in Ballyvaughan (sleeps up to 10) [Donated by Rick Considine] Value $2500
•Stand up desk & quick monitor and keyboard [Donated by W.B. Mason] Value $1000
•Apple iPad [Donated by ePlus Technology] Value $700
•Trash removal and ½ truck basement cleanout [Donated by James Branch Cleaning Services] Value $700
•Leather Office Chair [Donated by Office Supply] Value $700
•2 tickets to Sixers game in Suite with food and drink [Donated by Mendoza and KYW TV/WPSG TV] Value $600
•Window cleaning for 30 windows –inside and out [Donated by James Branch Cleaning Services] Value $600
•$500 Apple gift card [Donated by ePlus Technology] Value $500
•2 tickets to Flyers game in Suite with food and drink [Donated by Mendoza and WCAU TV] Value $500
•Artwork from PCA’s Celebrate Arts & Aging Artist, Peter Lantos “Survivor” Value $500
•Two-night stay at the Warwick Hotel in Philadelphia Value $400
•CasaAmigos Tequila package Value $400
•2 Tickets to The Met Philadelphia Value $400
•House cleaning including 4 bedrooms [Donated by James Branch Cleaning Services] Value $300
•2 tickets and day passes to “Live with Kelly & Mark” [Donated by Mendoza and WPVI TV] Value $250
•2 iHeartRadio Concert Tickets to PowerHouse on 10/27/23 [Donated by Mendoza and Power99] Value $250
•Dinner for 2 at Parc restaurant [Donated by Peter Olster/BTC Catering] Value $250
•2 tickets to Jingle Ball on 10/12/23 [Donated by Mendoza and Q102] Value $250
•4 tickets to Philadelphia Union vs. Atlanta on 10/4/23 [Donated by Mendoza and WPHL TV] Value $120
•Avonti microwave oven [Donated by W.B. Mason] Value $100
Try your luck on a bid for any of these marvelous items available through our silent auction!
Independence Blue Cross is proud to support PCA’s “50 Years of Aging with You!” Celebration. We recognize PCA for five decades of service and commitment to supporting older Philadelphians as they age.
Independence remains steadfast in its support of individuals and community organizations dedicated to improving the lives and health of the people in our region.
The Nutrition Group provides high-quality, healthy and delicious food to people of all ages.
Our dedicated team customizes menus for Older Adults, K-12 school meals, Healthcare facilities and more.
Since 1975, our mission has been simple:
Congratulations to PCA
on 50 years of ensuring that the Seniors of Philadelphia have access to all that they are entitled to and deserve.
NewCourtland and the Philadelphia Senior Centers are proud to support and partner with PCA in caring for Philadelphia’s Seniors.
Your caregiving journey can be challenging in all kinds of ways.
At AARP Family Caregiving, we’re here to help you get answers, connect with other family caregivers and find local resources close to home. So you can take care of what matters most.
To learn more, visit aarp.org/caregiving /aarpPA
improve
quality
life for older Philadelphians and people with disabilities and
assist them in achieving their maximum level of health, independence and productivity.
Established in 1973, PCA is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the Area Agency on Aging for Philadelphia County. PCA contracts with more than 200 community organizations to deliver services aimed at helping older Philadelphians and adults living with disabilities in Philadelphia achieve their maximum levels of health, independence and productivity. Through its work, PCA touches the lives of more than 140,000 individuals each year.