November 2017 e-Newsletter
Happy Fall! In this issue, Culpepper Garden brings you the latest update about our renovation plans and our resident gardeners. We were honored to host a representative from the Gillespie campaign as well as Lt. Governor Ralph Northam for “Meet and Greets” with our residents. We also spotlight our great volunteer relationship with E*TRADE allowing residents to get individualized help with online and technical questions in the computer lab. Finally, we are celebrating that Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation, nonprofit owner of Culpepper Garden, has reached Platinum Status with Guidestar. As we approach Thanksgiving and holidays, from our family to yours, we wish you a joyful holiday season.
Culpepper Garden Renovation Update
Culpepper Garden welcomed neighbors and residents to tour the new model apartment on October 1-2. The renovation of the original 204 apartments and all community space is scheduled to begin in early 2018. The updated kitchen includes new cabinets and appliances. The renovated bathroom includes a new walk-in shower, toilet, sink and grab bars to improve accessibility. All apartments will have individually controlled heating and cooling, new windows, lighting, closet doors and electronic key entry.  Click here for photos.. If you are interested in a tour, please contact Linda Kelleher at lkelleher@culpeppergarden.org.
Residents Question Virginia's Gubernatorial Candidates
Residents voiced concern about senior housing and health care issues to leadership in the Virginia governor’s race during a pre-election campaign stop at Culpepper Garden. Lt. Governor Ralph Northam (pictured below, left) came to Culpepper Garden to meet residents and directly answer their questions. Candidate Ed Gillespie was represented by his wife, Kathy (pictured below, right). Culpepper Garden is a polling site for residents and nearby neighbors. Residents actively participate in the election process.  

Garden Update

There are 23 gardeners among the residents at Culpepper Garden who work in 17 of their own raised-bed gardens and three gardens dedicated to growing food for the Arlington Food Assistance Center. The regular gardens have been here since well before the current Garden Coordinator, Dee, moved in to Culpepper Garden six years ago and the AFAC gardens were built two years ago.

Volunteer Spotlight

This month, Culpepper Garden celebrates our partnership with E*TRADE, a publicly traded company with one of their corporate offices based in Ballston. What started as one weekly volunteer from E*TRADE has grown into a team of 13 employees volunteering in pairs twice a week to solve residents’ computer and technology problems in either our computer lab or in their apartments. One resident serves as logistics manager, coordinating resident requests with volunteers so that every minute is put to good use. 

Culpepper Garden Achieves Guidestar Platinum Designation
Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation (ARHC) recently achieved the GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency for providing increased information donors want including metrics to measure improvement and results. Guidestar.org is an online resource that gathers and disseminates information on every IRS registered nonprofit. Guidestar seals recognize increased transparency by nonprofits that disclose additional information so that donors and others can make better decisions about charitable giving. Platinum is the highest recognition available.
Culpepper Garden | 4435 N. Pershing Road, Arlington, VA 22203
| (703) 528-0162 ||
www.culpeppergarden.org

Arlington Retirement Housing Corporation (ARHC) is the nonprofit owner of Culpepper Garden