Concordia 2023: Year in Review
Concordia received many blessings over the past year, and sharing our mission with our employees, residents, patients, volunteers, supporters and community friends made the year particularly special. Here’s an at-a-month-glance of what we were up to in 2023, with a preview of what’s ahead in 2024:
January: Celebrating the Concordia Team
Concordia welcomed in the new year by celebrating the dedicated work of our activities team members in recognition of National Activity Professionals Week. Our employees are the heart and hands of our mission – keep up with them on the Concordia Careers Facebook and Instagram pages, and visit our careers page to view all of our current healthcare career opportunities!
February: Concordia Goes Red for Heart Month
Every February, Concordia observes American Heart Month through educational blogs and by celebrating National Wear Red Day to help raise awareness for heart health. In 2023, we created a 7 Days of Self-Care for Heart Health plan to help you establish a daily routine and get you on your way to a healthy heart!
March: Concordia Observes Lent
Concordia observed the 40 day Lenten season (Feb. 22 – April 8, 2023) in a multitude of ways, including giving alms to fellow community members in need with a special Concordia Missions collection drive and service event and through a thought-provoking article about sacrifice, failure and success.
Related content: Why Do We Celebrate Lent?
April: Concordia Welcomes Bethlen to the Family
On April 3, Bethlen Communities – a faith-based, non-profit continuing care retirement community located in historic Ligonier, Pa., officially joined the Concordia family. Now called Concordia at Bethlen, the community offers many levels of senior care, including a vibrant retirement community and provides in-home care services – home health care, companion care and hospice care – through Concordia Home Health and Hospice of Bethlen.
May: Concordia’s Annual Fishing Derby Welcomes Over 800 Guests
The 2023 Annual Concordia Fishing Derby drew over 800 guests to Saxony Farm Lake in Saxonburg, Pa. in May. The completely free event, offering a fin-tastic day of fishing, tons of prizes and great snacks for the entire family will return in 2024 – keep an eye out for the “o-fish-all” date on our events page.
June: Concordia Names 2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award Recipient
On June 24, Dian Callen, receptionist manager for Concordia at Rebecca Residence, was named the 2023 Stephen W. Johnson Mission Award recipient, Concordia’s highest employee honor. The 2024 nomination period is open through March 15, 2024 and you can click here to nominate a Concordia employee who has made a remarkable difference in your life, the life of your loved one or throughout your community.
July: Concordia Golf Classic Raises over $140,000 for Good Samaritan Endowment Fund
More than 180 golfers participated in the 2023 Concordia Golf Classic, one of our largest annual fundraisers each year. The proceeds from the event support the Good Samaritan Endowment Fund, which underwrites confidential charitable care for our residents and patients who have limited or exhausted financial means.
Concordia Hosts 142nd Summer Festival
The last Sunday of every July, hundreds of guests arrive at the Concordia at Cabot campus to enjoy our Annual Summer Festival. Attendees enjoyed fellowship, amazing food, FREE kids’ activities, a fishing derby, swinging music and more! Please join us in celebrating this annual tradition on July 28, 2024 and bring the entire family, we’ll have something for everyone!
August: Over 750 Attend Concordia Butterfly Releases
Every August, Concordia’s hospice agencies host butterfly releases in each of our service areas in memoriam of those who have gone before us. Over 750 guests participated in 2023 and released butterflies in honor of their loved ones, found comfort in inspirational music, children’s activities, readings and prayers. Dates for 2024 releases will be announced soon on our events page.
September: Power of the Purse Raises Over $38,000 for GSH Youth Bereavement Care Program
On September 29, hundreds of guests attended the 2023 Power of the Purse, a fundraising purse bash to benefit Good Samaritan Hospice’s Youth Bereavement Program at the Mansion in Butler, Pa. Guests enjoyed an elegant evening with many opportunities to win over 100 purses, a win-it-all wine table and special gifts included in pop-up drawings. Mark your calendars – the 2024 Power of the Purse event is slated for September 20, 2024.
October: Concordia Hosts Annual Oktoberfest on Cabot Campus
The 2023 Concordia Oktoberfest drew hundreds of guests to Concordia Haven I Apartments on the Cabot campus to celebrate our German heritage. Attendees enjoyed the sounds of The Mikey Dee Polka Band, a German-themed menu, kids’ activities and a spectacular fireworks display by Pyrotecnico! More information on our 2024 event will be released soon!
November: Concordia Hosts Largest Mission Event in History: Remote Area Medical
On November 11 and 12, 2023, Concordia hosted Remote Area Medial (RAM), a free medical, dental and vision clinic at Butler Intermediate High School in Butler, Pa. Over 500 volunteers supported the needs of 335 patients, who received $183,534 in high-quality healthcare at no cost over the two-day clinic. A full article on RAM will appear in the March 2024 edition of our Faith in Caring magazine, along with a companion blog article – we promise a great read with unique patient stories and volunteer testimonials!
December: Concordia Hosts 10th Annual Live Nativity
Hundreds of guests joined the Concordia family on the Cabot campus on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, to hear and celebrate the story of Jesus’s birth at our 10th Annual Live Nativity. We invite you to join us next year in-person on Dec. 8, 2024 or via a livestream on Concordia’s YouTube channel in celebration of the true reason for the season.
From all of us at Concordia, thank you for being a part of our family – we wish you all a happy and healthy new year!
Stay current with happenings at a Concordia near you by visiting our upcoming events page and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Founded in 1881, Concordia Lutheran Ministries is a faith-based, CARF-accredited Aging Services Network and recipient of the inaugural Pennsylvania Department of Aging Excellence in Quality Care Award. As one of the largest nonprofit senior care providers in the country, the organization serves 50,000 people annually through in-home care and inpatient locations in western Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and Tampa, Florida.
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