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‘Springing Forward’: SAIL sponsors virtual reception

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Mar 12, 2021

Switzer

SHEPHERDSTOWN — On March 24 at 7 p.m., Shepherdstown Area Independent Living will be holding a Zoom event, “Springing Forward,” to celebrate and honor four new leaders in Shepherdstown.

Springing Forward will be moderated by Adam Booth, founder of the 501©3 nonprofit Speak Story Series, Inc., and a nationally recognized storyteller. The event will feature four new local leaders: Pastor Gusti Linnea Newquist, of Shepherdstown Presbyterian Church; Father Andrew M. Switzer, of St. Agnes Catholic Church; Chiquita Howard-Bostic, associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusivity at Shepherd University; and Pippa McCullough, the executive director for SAIL.

“Many of us know these people and think they are all just terrific, adding great leadership to our community. All of them have impressive backgrounds and are real energetic when it comes to working in Shepherdstown,” said SAIL Fundraising Committee Chair Catherine Irwin. “Each of them expressed delight to have been invited to participate. They all are enthusiastic about reaching more people through this event.”

According to Irwin, the planning for this event began last April. The following months were spent identifying the local nonprofit and social justice leaders who had been recently been appointed to their current positions.

“There is no doubt that COVID-19 and the quarantine have had a huge impact on leaders in our area,” Irwin said of the need to have an meet-and-greet event like this. “Groups are staying active, but there have been so few opportunities to actually meet face-to-face, getting to know these leaders beyond their own churches, organizations and the university.”

Howard-Bostic

The program will feature video introductions to the four honorees. The honorees will then discuss their new roles in Shepherdstown, in dialogue with ZOOM attendees.

“Our main goal is outreach to the community. We want people to know that SAIL continues to be active and plays a vital role in Shepherdstown,” Irwin said.

The event will be able to be held, thanks to the contributions of its sponsors: the Shepherdstown Visitors Center, the Tara Lowe Team of 4 State Real Estate, Marianne Alexander in memory of Duane Alexander, Jack Young in memory of Martha Young, Karen Kinnett, David and Adrienne Asam, Edwinna Bernat, Linda Spatig and Marty Amerikaner, Catherine Irwin and WVU Medicine.

To register for the free event, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/springing-forward-tickets-136627888693. For more information, contact SAIL at 304-870-7245.

McCullough

Newquist