Centenarians throughout Central Virginia will be honored in the Celebration of Centenarians on Saturday, October 24, at Heritage Baptist Church, 219 Breezewood Drive in Lynchburg , from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
The Beard Center on Aging at University of Lynchburg is organizing the celebration along with its Consortium on Aging, a group representing 90 organizations and individuals working together to promote positive aging.
The consortium is seeking suggestions of centenarians to honor at the event.
“We’re promoting the value of our older citizens, as well as the importance of healthy aging,” said Denise Scruggs, director of the Beard Center on Aging. “We can learn a lot from our centenarians who not only connect us to our past, but give us ideas for the future.”
The event will include a presentation about the lives of local citizens age 100 and over, including some of their words of wisdom, tips for longevity, and stories of life as it has changed over the past 100 years. Centenarians present at the celebration will receive medals and flowers.
The celebration will feature music by the Golden Merrymakers and Rick Dellinger Music Ministries. Lynchburg Mayor Mike Gillette will speak about the value of older citizens.
The event also will recognize the accomplishments of Belle Boone Beard, the gerontologist who founded of the Beard Center on Aging and whose life passion was studying persons ages 100 and older.
People who would like to recommend Central and Southwest Virginia centenarians to feature at the event should contact the Beard Center on Aging at 434-544-8456 by October 12. People who will reach 100 years in the near future also may be honored.
