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SHEPHERD’S HERALD: Winter 2023 (Volume 9, Issue 1)

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Read more in the SCMAFC 2023 Winter Newsletter, or click “Download” to download. Download

In this issue: Volunteer Brunch Highlighted; Client Bruce Flatin Remembered; Volunteer Michael Lerner Recognized; 2022 Ride Statistics; Individual and Organizational Donations Honored

Available Resources

The Center provides transportation for medical and therapy appointments, grocery, pharmacy, and general shopping trips. For other services, we recommend:

  • AARP Foundation Tax-Aide: aarp.org/taxaide or 804-819-1923. Trained volunteer preparers can help you work through your taxes and find tax credits that apply to you.
  • Crisis and Support Hotline: 988 or 800-273-TALK (8255). Connects you to behavioral health care and support 24 hours a day.
  • The Virginia Department of Social Services: 211virginia.org/consite/index.php or 211 (800-230-6977). This referral program has a wide range of resources, including food, housing, clothing, and healthcare. Specialists are available 24/7, year round.

Staying Healthy During Flu Season

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • If you are sick, limit contact with others.
  • Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.
  • Stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/prevent/prevention.htm

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: Winter 2022 (Volume 8, Issue 1)

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Tom Callanan

Chair

Carrie Le

Vice Chair

Carolyn Jeskey

New Board Member

Mark Turco

New Board Member

Changes to Board Membership

Each year there are changes to Board membership, usually as the result of volunteers adjusting the demands on their time from their families or other volunteer or church-related activities. This year is no exception. Michael Lerner served during the past two years as Vice Chair as well as serving double-duty in 2021 as the Acting Chair. These roles will now be filled by Tom Callanen, as Chair, and Carrie Le, as Vice Chair. Tom served for the past two years as the newsletter editor and Carrie as the Communications Committee chair, a role she will continue. Michael has agreed to remain on the Board — where he has served since 2016 in a variety of capacities — offering his experience to Tom and Carrie. He will now focus his attention on our clients, organizing the procedures for managing incoming clients as well as handling the needs of existing ones.

Other Board changes include the departure of Jan Gordon who served as the Chair of the Client Advocacy Committee – she will remain on the committee and continue as a Ride Coordinator and driver. Jan is being replaced by new Board member Carolyn Jeskey, one of our most active drivers. Another new member is Mark Turco. He will serve as Chair of the Audit Committee but will also continue as a Ride Coordinator. In addition to their Board duties almost all of the members are regular drivers for our clients, an activity they feel is essential for our community.

Helpful Resources


  • Resource Referral Program

    The Virginia Department of Social Services offers a referral program for its citizens for a very wide range of resources, including food, housing, clothing, and healthcare. Contact specialists answer calls 24/7, year round. Phone 211 or 1-800-230-6977, or you can visit their website online at www.211virginia.org/consite/index.php for a complete listing of resources. It Works!!!

  • Social Security Alert

    Scammers are pretending to be government employees. They may threaten you and may demand immediate payment to avoid arrest or other legal action. DO NOT BE FOOLED!

    If you receive a suspicious call:

    1. HANG UP!
    2. DO NOT GIVE THEM MONEY OR PERSONAL INFORMATION!
    3. REPORT THE SCAM AT OIG.SSA.GOV

  • Fall Prevention

    According to the CDC, every second of every day an older adult (age 65+) suffers a fall in the U.S.— making falls the leading cause of injury and injury death in this age group.

    Prevention tips include:

    • Review your medications with your doctor.
    • Preserve bone mass with aerobic exercise, eating healthy, and getting Vitamin D and calcium.
    • Get annual vision and hearing exams.
    • Check for tripping hazards such as throw rugs, wires or cords, poor lighting on stairs, etc.
    • Install toilet & shower grab bars.
    • Keep kitchen items used often on lower shelves.
    • Use night lights between bed and bathroom.
    • Get out of bed slowly.
    • Keep emergency numbers near each phone.

  • Senior Resource Guide

    Call 703-558-6859 for a copy of the Senior Resource Guide from Virginia Hospital Center.

Read more in the SCMAFC 2022 Winter Newsletter, or click “Download” to download. Download

In this issue: changes to the Board; featured volunteers & client; and helpful information for staying safe.

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: Spring 2019 (Volume 5, Issue 1)

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Message from the Chair:

You’ve often heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child. Shepherd’s Center chapters all over the country are based on the belief that it also takes a village to grow old. At least to grow old well. As we age we all need a community surrounding us to provide support and happiness. Yet in modern day America many older adults live in isolation. Some of us have never married; some of our spouses and many of our friends have died; some either have no children at all, or they live in Dallas or Tokyo. If you are a client who feels alone, let us know! We have lovely volunteers who are eager to visit or call you on a regular basis— to be a new friend. If you are a volunteer and discover someone who you think would benefit from our Friendly Visitor/Caller program, let our Ride Coordinators know, and they can help connect this client with a volunteer who can visit or call. It’s not healthy to live in isolation without social contacts and the community of others. Help us be a village!

Betty Douglass,
Chairman of the Board

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 5 Issue 1 – Spring 2019, or click “Download” to download.Download

In this Issue: Message from Chairman of the Board; 2018 Ride Statistics; Holiday Party; Tax Preparation Information

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: February 2018 (Volume 4, Issue 1)

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Message from our Chairman:

Dear Friends of SCMAFC, I am honored to be the new Chair of the SCMAFC Board, and I am humbled to be following in the footsteps of Austine Eversole who has served so wonderfully as Chair for the past three years. I look forward to helping guide this chapter of Shepherd’s Center as we serve older adults in McLean, Arlington, and Falls Church. This Shepherd’s Center is truly an amazing organization. Do you know that ours is the only one of the 6 Shepherd’s Center chapters in Northern Virginia (and one of the few in the nation) that has no paid staff? All of our work is accomplished through the volunteer efforts of about 90 individuals who serve as Board members, committee members, ride coordinators, drivers, friendly visitors or callers, and handy helpers. Our volunteers come from churches and synagogues, from people hearing about us at community events and through friends, from notices we post in local publications. We always need more volunteers, because the demand for our services every single week is greater than we are able to fulfill. You can drive as much or as little as you want; scheduling is always flexible. Please join us! In future issues of this newsletter we will continue to introduce our services, our devoted volunteers, as well as those whom we are grateful to serve— our clients.

Betty Douglass,
Chairman of the Board

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 4 Issue 1 – February 2018

In this issue: Tax Preparation Resources; Message from the Chairman, Betty Douglass; 2017 Ride Statistics; Holiday Party

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: February 2017 (Volume 3, Issue 1)

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Message from our Chairman:

Loneliness is hard not only on your heart but also your health. It is something that can slowly creep up on you without you even knowing that it is happening. People with busy lives can find themselves lonely because it isn’t how many people you speak to in a day that makes you less lonely, it is the connection you make while talking to them. One day I had to wait about 45 minutes in the mall to pick up my granddaughter, so I got a coffee and sat at a table with a complete stranger. We started talking and before we knew it we both had to leave. I don’t know her name, but even today I can remember how good I felt after we finished talking. We had made a connection, we had listened to each other and we had shared ourselves in some way. A stranger before and after, but a feeling I still remember. When we are little we are told “don’t talk to strangers” and we should always use our “danger” radar, but there are so many wonderful people out there. They are in front or back of you in the grocery line, sitting next to you at the doctor’s office, or walking beside you as you go into church. Say hello, make a connection and brighten their day and yours. The first hello is the first step to not being lonely. And always remember to CALL an old friend or relative and say “ Hi, I’ve been thinking of you.” They might be lonely too.

Austine Eversole,
Chairman of the Board

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 3 Issue 1 – February 2017 Download
In This Issue: Chairman’s Message – A 45-Minute Friend; 2016 End of Year Review; Tax Time Help and Scams; Volunteer Appreciation Party; Help for Hearing Loss; Upcoming Events; and Frequently Called Numbers in Arlington

What our clients are saying:

“Thanks so much to Robyn and her charming son for helping me over the two-day doctors care for my cataract surgery. I am inspired.”

“I am so appreciative of what the Shepherd’s Center has done for me. It took a long time but I finally won with the hearing aid company. Thank you.”

SHEPHERD’S HERALD: February 2016 (Volume 2, Issue 1)

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Message from our Chairman:

When I first became involved with the Shepherd’s Center of McLean-Arlington-Falls Church, I never realized how much my life would change. Not only have I met some extraordinary people, many of whom have become good friends, but I have also learned so much about the community where I live. By being involved, I am more aware of the needs of many different groups and definitely of the needs of our senior population. I have come to appreciate the cooperation between both volunteer and professional entities. This year our Board has become more involved in the community by attending many functions that have brought rewards in both volunteer and financial support. We will be having our Volunteer Appreciation luncheon in May and we hope that if you are a volunteer, you will definitely come, and please bring a friend who may be interested in volunteering. You are why our organization is a success.

Austine Eversole,
Chairman of the Board

Download The Full Shepherd’s Herald Newsletter:

Volume 2 Issue 1 – February 2016 Download
In This Issue: Chairman’s Message; Retiree Facts; 2015 Summary; Volunteer Holiday Party; Being There for Shepherd’s Center Clients; Friendly Caller & Friendly Visitor New Services; Volunteer Handbook; New Board Members; Replace/Duplicate Your Social Security Card; Free Tax Preparation.

What our clients are saying:

“Thanks so much to Robyn and her charming son for helping me over the two-day doctors care for my cataract surgery. I am inspired.”

“I am so appreciative of what the Shepherd’s Center has done for me. It took a long time but I finally won with the hearing aid company. Thank you.”