The Visiting Nurse Association of Newtown (VNA Newtown) has been observing its centennial this year, and members are really ready to celebrate.

The public is invited to the Alexandria Room of Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, on Sunday, September 23, when a free event will run from 1 to 3 pm.

Dr Philip Kotch has agreed to speak that afternoon; other local doctors have also been invited to speak. Doctors who live or practice in town have all been invited to attend, according to event organizers.

Displays will show guests current and former programs and events presented by the VNA — such as the Newtown Health Fair, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary next month — and refreshments will be served. Former members have also been invited. Reservations are requested, but the event is open to all who would like to attend.

Longtime VNA members Joanne Albanesi, Margareta Kotch, Maureen McLaughlin, and Mary Tietjen are coordinating the celebration along with VNA Newtown President Anna Wiedemann. Three of those women visited The Newtown Bee office on August 13 to talk about the local VNA chapter and why they are proud members of an organization that continues to assist residents with multiple health services. For its current president, part of the appeal is the lack of politics.

“It’s not at all political,” said Ms Wiedemann, who joined VNA Newtown after discovering its Thrift Shop at Edmond Town Hall about 15 years ago. “People are nice to each other. There’s no cattiness. We all help one another and care for one another.

“Being a member is about helping the community and giving back to the community,” Ms Wiedemann said.

Ms McLaughlin’s daughter received a scholarship from the local organization in the early 1990s. Between that gift and the fact that her mother-in-law was already a longstanding member of VNA Newtown, Ms McLaughlin said she, too, “thought it was time for me to give back. It’s one of the best organizations I belong to.”

Like Ms McLaughlin, who waited until her children were all in school before joining the association, Mary Tietjen also waited until her sons were in kindergarten before committing to the VNA. That was 33 years ago.

“I knew I couldn’t do it before then because I did want to be part of it, and it’s one of the best things I did,” she said.

In addition to a number of longtime members, VNA Newtown has also been blessed with “an influx of new members this year,” according to Ms Wiedemann.

“We were worried,” she admitted, “after a few people moved away, but a good group of people have also been brought in.”

In a recent letter to the editor, Joan Reynolds reminded Newtown Bee readers that VNA Newtown “has been assisting our residents with wellness services regardless of ability to pay.”

Those services include flu shots, two Loan Closets that offer medical equipment, help with prescription costs, eye screenings (which are coordinated with Newtown Lions Club), scholarship funds, and of course, nurses who can visit residents in their homes.

Unlike many other VNA chapters, Newtown’s is a volunteer organization. There are no paid staff members.

The September 23 event, said Ms Wiedemann, will be a way for VNA Newtown to “say ‘thank you’ to the community — to say ‘thank you’ to everyone for supporting us.”

For reservations or additional information, contact Anna Wiedemann at 203-426-1035 or aroosterw@yahoo.com, or Joanne Albanesi, 203-304-1401.