The following is a press release from the Brandylane Publicity Department:

Join Weldon Bradshaw, author of My Dance with Grace, at First Presbyterian Church (4602 Cary Street Rd, Richmond, VA, 23226) on Thursday, February 16 from 12:30-1:15 PM for a talk titled “Gifts: Thoughts of a Transplant Survivor.” This event will be hosted by The Shepherd’s Center  (TSCOR) as part of their Open University program. Weldon will be a “Lunch Speaker” and attendees are encouraged to bring a sandwich (coffee and desserts to be provided). Copies of Weldon’s book, My Dance with Grace, will be available for purchase following the talk. This event is free and open to the public.

Late in 2009, Weldon Bradshaw was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, an incurable, autoimmune liver condition. Over the next two and a half years, as the disease progressed slowly and his liver and health deteriorated, his prognosis grew bleak. By November of 2012, his doctor informed him that if he didn’t receive a transplant, he’d be dead within the week. Through it all, Weldon remained steadfast to the promise he’d made his family at the outset of his illness: he would be there to dance at his granddaughter’s wedding. A high school cross country coach and lifelong athlete, Weldon was accustomed to tests of endurance, spirit, and drive. But nothing could have prepared him for this – the race of his life. It would be a race against time, chance, and hopelessness in the face of devastating odds. It would be a race for a miracle.

This event is part of The Shepherd’s Center’s larger series, Open University, which hosts educational lectures and events on a variety of topics. A complete list of the Winter Session events, as well as more information about “Gifts: Thoughts of a Transplant Survivor” (third page of PDF) can be found here.

For those who are interested in continuing adult education, The Shepherd’s Center offers three 8-week sessions, from September through May. Membership is $25 annually, with tuition at $40 for each session for members. You can attend any or all of the individual classes within any session for that one price. You can find more information about The Shepherd’s Center’s Open University Program and becoming a member on the TSCOR website.logo_circlewithstaffs

Smile! It’s Amazon Prime Day

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It’s time to get some bargains!  Today, July 12th, is Amazon Prime Day and the deals are better than Black Friday.

Remember to go to Amazon Smile and choose The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond and shop away!  A portion of your purchase will be donated to TSCOR and every little bit counts!  Thank you in advance and happy shopping!!!

Open University Fall Session Begins Monday

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Open University classes begin at St. Luke Lutheran on Monday, September 21.  The bike races are scheduled for the downtown area, so we are not expecting any road issues.  On Thursday, September 24, classes begin at First Presbyterian.  There is a practice bike course on Cary Street that morning, so please enter Lock Lane from Grove Avenue to get to the church.

We hope to see everyone at both locations.

AND, don’t forget Wednesday’s Lunch-n-Life at St. Mary Catholic at 12 noon – free and open to the public.  Bring a sandwich!

We are looking forward to the start of a great school year at the OU!

Fall 2015 Class Schedule is Here!

We are happy to have available for your perusal our Open University class schedule for this Fall (click the link below).  We look forward to seeing everyone the week of September 21st when classes begin.  Don’t forget to share with your friends and neighbors about how much you enjoy the OU!!

Class Schedule FALL 2015

Shepherd’s Center of America visits Richmond

We had a wonderful visit last week from Sarah Cheney, Executive Director of Shepherd’s Center of America.

Julie and SarahSarah was in Northern Virginia at a ribbon cutting for the newest Shepherd’s Center, Western Fairfax County, one of the now seven Centers in Virginia.  The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond was the first, 31 years ago, and we mentored both the Chesterfield and Oakton-Vienna Shepherd’s Center when they first began.  It’s great to be a part of such an important national organization and a caring community of people meeting the growing needs of aging Americans 60+.  Click this SCA to find out more about Shepherd’s Center of America.

Spring Gray Matters now available online!

The Spring 2015 issue of Gray Matters is now on our website.  You can also view it at the link below.

Gray Matters Spring 2015

ATTENTION – Only 4 more spots available for our trip to Mt. Vernon & the National Marine Corps Museum in Northern Virginia on Saturday, March 14, 2015.  Last day to register is this Friday, February 27.  More than just another historic home and a lasting tribute to U.S. Marines–past, present, and future.  It’s going to be a great trip-please join us.  For more details, see the flyer at the link below and then call the office to sign up!

2015 Mount Vernon & Marine Museum Flyer

Open University Spring Class Schedule is on our website NOW!

The Open University class schedule for Spring 2015 is now available on our website.  You can also use the link below!  Classes begin Monday, March 23, 2015 – See you then!!

OU Classes Spring 2015

Four Days to Go Until The Amazing Raise!!

amazingraise-1406833799_8063-amazing-raise-high-res-logo-signThe Amazing Raise is only 4 days away and we look forward to this 36 hour “give-a-thon.” I hope you read all about it in our fall Gray Matters.  The biggest question tied to The Amazing Raise is always, “What is a unique gift?”  Let me explain.

A unique gift is a donation of $50 or more made by one individual. For example, if Mr. Smith and his wife donate $100 on one credit card for both, it only counts as one unique gift. But, if Mr. Smith donates $50 on his credit card and then Mrs. Smith donates $50 on her credit card, it counts as two unique gifts.  The goal is to get as many different people as you can to donate.  And once you have made your donation of $50 or more, you are counted as one unique gift and will not be counted again if you make another donation during The Amazing Raise.  So in general, it is a whole bunch of different people donating unique gifts to the organization of their choice.  And we hope that you choose The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond.

These unique gifts count towards prizes of grant money given by the Community Foundation throughout the 36 hours. Follow this link to see the list of prizes:  https://theamazingraise.org/#prizes.

So get your whole family involved, like I did. If they have a credit card, their donation can be counted as a unique gift too!  There will be a direct link to The Shepherd’s Center’s donation page here on our website that will be active at 6:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 17th.  You can find out more about The Amazing Raise at www.theamazingraise.org.

If you have any questions, please post them here, e-mail me at jadams@TSCOR.org or call me at 355-7282.  Let’s have an amazing, Amazing Raise!     – Julie