“Double-Nickel” Annual Campaign – Donate Now!

Dear Friend of The Shepherd’s Center,
It’s my privilege, as your new Board President, to launch our Double-Nickel Annual Fund Campaign. The Double-Nickel Campaign is a name whose origins are found in the1974 nationwide speed limit of 55 miles per hour and the marketing competition between nickel-sized bottles of Coca-Cola and Pepsi. For us it refers to an ambitious goal of raising $55,000. I know that, together, we can do this! Donate here!

We are fortunate that leadership by our board and staff, along with great support from scores of volunteers, has given rise to a healthy and thriving organization. We continue to grow! This fall brought 296 students to Open University; a 24% increase in students compared to fall 2024. Our membership renewal numbers rose 22% from last year at this same time (and a remarkable 84% increase in membership numbers from the fall of 2019, a few months before the pandemic hit).

Our classes and lunch talks are popular and well attended. In the first half of the 2025 fall session we offered programs Monday through Friday. A lunch talk by Jeff Schapiro had standing room only, as did Jim Brown’s first meeting of the class “Seeing Traditional Art for the First Time”.

The driving program, now ably managed by our newest staff member, Jennifer Holliday, is also growing at a rapid pace, surpassing last year’s numbers of 64 drivers responding to 1,102 medical rides and 194 grocery trips. But to keep up with that pace of rising requests, we need additional volunteer drivers. We don’t like turning down anyone who asks for help.

Two of my primary goals for The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond are the sustainable expansion of our education and driving programs and an expansion of our space to support those goals. Here’s how you might help us meet these goals: 

• Share the word about The Shepherd’s Center and its programs. 
• Join me as a volunteer supporting our driving program, Open University, and office functions. 
• Join me as a member of the Robert S. Seiler Legacy Society by committing to making a bequest to support The Shepherd’s Center. 
• Donate to our Double-Nickel Campaign! 

I’m happy to announce that the campaign has launched with an anonymous donation of $5,500 and a pledge to match the next donations totaling $5,500. Please help us with your donation. We will celebrate our success by toasting with nickel-sized sodas!

With warm regards,
Mimi Sadler
President, Board of Directors
The Shepherd’s Center of Richmond