Seabury Announces Romaine Thomas and St. Anselm’s Abbey School As Award Recipients

The Board of Seabury Resources for Aging is pleased to announce Romaine Thomas as the recipient of the 2016 Leadership in Aging Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to improve the lives of older adults and family caregivers.

Romaine Thomas is a native Washingtonian and Ward 5 resident. She has spent most of her life dedicated to the community as an educator and through community service. For more than twenty-five years, Mrs. Thomas served as the principal of John Henry Ketcham Elementary School, the same school she went to as a child. During her tenure at John Henry Ketcham, she was awarded the National Distinguished Principal’s award by the U.S. Secretary of Education for her service.

A former president of the Woodbridge Civic Association and the 2nd Vice President of the District of Columbia’s Federation of Civic Associations, Inc., Mrs. Thomas served as the first DC Democratic Convention Chairwoman and was a delegate in 2012 to the Democratic National Convention.

She has served as the President of the Executive Council of D.C’s AARP, where during her tenure she supported the renovation of Seabury at Home First’s Andrus House into a fully accessible home for the residents.

Currently as the Chairperson for the D.C. Commission on Aging, Mrs. Thomas advises the Mayor, District Council, Office on Aging, and general public on, as she describes it, “what really matters in seniors’ lives – community, safety, financial issues, aging in place, and supporting independent living,” among others. Mrs. Thomas says she is proud of Seabury’s work in developing targeted programs that address the physical, mental and health needs of the community’s elderly.

Seabury Resources for Aging’s 2016 Community Partner Award will be presented to St. Anselm’s Abbey School and received by William Crittenberger, the Headmaster of St. Anselm’s Abbey at Seabury’s Leadership in Aging Celebration on May 22, 2016 at the National Press Club.

The Community Partner Award is presented in recognition of outstanding leadership and contributions from individuals and organizations who partner with Seabury Resources for Aging to further its mission and improve the lives of older adults in the greater Washington, DC area.

A key tenant of St. Anselm’s Abbey School is education through community service. St. Anselm’s believes that “respect for the dignity of each person” is central to the teachings of Saint Benedict and serves as the cornerstone of the values that are fostered throughout the school community. Every Tuesday morning throughout the school year a group of students from St. Anselm’s Abbey volunteers with Seabury’s Age-In-Place® program to provide free yard work and house cleaning to seniors in need.

St. Anselm’s Abbey has been a community partner with Seabury’s Age-In-Place® program for over 18 years and last year alone the students provided 254 hours of service to area seniors.

May 22 will mark the tenth year for The Leadership in Aging Celebration, Seabury Resources for Aging’s signature event, which raises awareness and funds to support Seabury’s services and housing for older adults in the greater Washington, DC community. The event includes a cocktail reception, dinner, auction, and the Leadership in Aging Award presentations. Seabury Resources for Aging is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide personalized, affordable services and housing options to help older adults in the greater Washington, DC area live with independence and dignity. Serving the Washington area since 1924, Seabury currently provides direct services to more than 15,000 older adults and their caregivers. Event proceeds will benefit all of Seabury Resources for Aging’s housing and services and particularly help low income older adults who need care management, meals, housing, transportation and help with home maintenance.