Your Generosity Helps Make Vacations Possible for Jubilee Community
Jubilee vacations are an annual highlight for our community! These trips bring together friends for experiences outside of daily routines and are talked about all year long. This year, Jubilee hosted trips to Ocean City, Md., and Williamsburg, Va.. Thrill seekers enjoyed roller coasters, parasailing, and Go Kart racing. Others enjoyed leisurely days with toes in the sand and strolls on the boardwalk.
Julia McCune is the Director of Jubilee’s Community Engagement Department. She and her team dedicate significant time and energy to delivering experiences that wow our community. “Nearly 90 people supported by Jubilee attended this year’s vacations. Every single department played a role in ensuring successful trips. I’m thankful to everyone who helped make these trips rewarding experiences. Many of the people we support say these trips are the best part of the year, and for some, it is their only opportunity to travel. Our direct support professionals and program managers go above and beyond on these trips to support people having new and different experiences.”
Kevin Powderly is Jubilee’s Major Gifts Officer, and this is his third trip at the invitation of pal Steve Brent. “You never know what’s going to be the breakout experience of the trip. There’s always something new that excites. This year it was karaoke on the Ocean City Boardwalk. Matt Starr wowed the room with his performance, and Louis Cox’ smile brightened the night. We learned that the karaoke regulars take their singing seriously, and they welcomed the Jubilee crew with open arms. Bruce Wallace was joined by two impromptu backup singers and dancers from the crowd. Foster Bennett belted out Unchained Melody with his incredible vocal range. I was moved when he told me that ‘I felt the love and support in that room … and I was nervous at first.’ He was certainly braver than me as I cheered from the crowd! Community Engagement became seamless community inclusion with support in both directions on this hot, humid summer evening full of laughter and joy.”
Paula Lang (featured top left in photo montage) shared that the Ocean City trip “was a lot of fun with my friends. My favorite activity was a boat ride. I went shopping on the Boardwalk by myself, and I paid by myself to buy a new beach bag. I went swimming in the pool and liked playing shuffleboard.”
Gia Richmond is the director of Program Services, leading our program managers and frontline workforce. “Planning and pulling off these vacations takes an incredible amount of time, energy, and heart. Our Community Engagement team worked hard behind the scenes to build connections and make opportunities possible, while Program Services made sure every detail was carried out so people could just enjoy the experience. It’s a beautiful example of what’s possible when we work side by side.”
Thank you to our generous donors whose support makes these trips possible!
