Time for Spaghetti

September is Friendship Month at Juniper Communities and what better way to celebrate friendship than with a brother or sister. Juniper Village at Brookline hosted a Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser to benefit the Big Brother/Big Sister program through the Youth Service Bureau (YSB) in Centre County. This national program provides local children an opportunity to connect with others while developing positive relationships. "One caring adult can make a significant difference in the life of a child" (ccysb.com).

Juniper Village dished up more than 60 dinners to community members, Juniper staff, and residents throughout the evening with dine in and take out options. Guests enjoyed spaghetti with freshly made meatballs, salad, baked dinner rolls, and house made cupcakes. All attendees were also entered into a raffle to win a fall-themed gift basket. At the end of the evening all money raised was given to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program for a grand total of $659.25. "Thank you so much for this event. This is wonderful!" said Zach Barton, Centre County Big Brother/Big Sister Program Coordinator who was present for the event and to receive the check.

Be sure to check out the Juniper Village at Brookline monthly calendars for more information on other fundraisers throughout the year.

For more information on the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program through the Centre County Youth Service Bureau, please visit www.ccysb.com.

Wellspring Memory Care Collects Donations for Furry Friends

Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care loves furry friends! They play with us when we’re feeling silly, offer snuggles when we need a hug, and are a comfort when we’re blue. To celebrate the joy that animals bring to our lives, Wellspring residents, family members, and staff collected pet supplies throughout the summer for Pets Come First, a local animal shelter in Centre Hall, PA. Not only was the pet supply drive a great way to give back to our community, but it also helped to draw attention to the shelter’s needs. The items collected were simple things:  crisp paper towels, fresh kitty litter, lip-smacking snacks, extra-strong garbage bags. However, these everyday items are vital for keeping a shelter running smoothly and providing a safe, clean, healthy environment for animals that are awaiting their forever homes.  

Community members who are interested in learning more about Pets Come First and their mission of “facilitating the placement of stray and unwanted animals into loving homes,” are welcome to join Wellspring residents for a furry friends meet-and-greet on September 16! The event will be held at 610 W. Whitehall Road in State College from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, and will feature some of the animals that are available for adoption.  Delicious homemade snacks will be served for both the humans and the four-legged friends in attendance!

September 2016 Events in State College, PA: Spread Your Joy

As the air begins to cool and summer wanes, Juniper Village ends our “Stay Connected” series by recognizing Friendship and Joy. What is it that brings you joy? Is it the wet nose of a newborn pup? The smile of your first grandchild? The taste of a triple chocolate ice cream cone? Whatever it is we invite you to share that joy with others at Juniper Village this month.

Much attention has been paid to studies regarding the effects of stress on your health, but what about the effects of joy? The landmark “Nun Study,” as it's often known, revealed that positive emotion is correlated with longevity: 90% of the most cheerful quarter of nuns was alive at the age of eighty-five, whereas only 34% of the least cheerful quarter lived to that age. Similarly, 54% of the most cheerful fourth was alive at age ninety-four, versus 11% of the least cheerful. Of the 678 sisters in the original study about four dozen are still living. So go ahead, grab that triple chocolate cone it might just extend your life!

Join us this month as we celebrate friendship and staying connected with calendar events such as our annual daffodil planting and our home warming, birthday party and Best Friend initiatives.

Our fabulous September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care include our:

§  Sip and Paint Night Fundraiser with Benchmark Therapies as we enjoy an evening of networking with fellow healthcare professionals while Amanda Kunkle, owner of Happy Valley Sip & Paint, guides the class through one-of-a-kind masterpieces on September 8th from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. (Please RSVP to Jill at 814-235-2041. Tickets are $35; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

§  Pets Come First Meet and Greet as we team up with Pets Come First to host a meet and greet for some of the furry friends up for adoption at this incredible, non-profit animal shelter with their mission of “facilitating the placement of stray and unwanted animals into loving homes,” we hope to help by raising awareness of the positive impact of pet adoption, and friends, family, residents, and the greater community are welcome as there will be homemade snacks for both the humans and four-legged friends in attendance on September 16^th from 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm.

§  Weekend Winedown to taste for a cause at this annual fundraiser event and silent auction to benefit bound to get your taste buds going wild, featuring signature dishes from local eateries alongside Seven Mountains wine at the winery on September 23rd at 6:30 pm. (Please RSVP to Liz at 814-234-3135. Tickets are $40 each or $70 per couple; proceeds benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.)

We look forward to sharing our September 2016 events in State College, PA at Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring Memory Care with you as you Spread Your Joy.