Soup, Socks, and Sunshine Drive
As part of an effort to meet basic needs and provide comfort to older neighbors this winter, Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS) is hosting a “Soup, Socks, and Sunshine” drive from January 5-23, 2026, throughout our service area.
VPAS is asking the public to bring canned soup, new men’s and women’s socks, and kind notes or drawings to collection boxes at any of the following locations during that time period:
In Harrisonburg:
- Visiting Angels - 370 Neff Ave. Suite R, Harrisonburg
- First Choice Home Health and Hospice - 1819 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg
- Sentara RMH Medical Center - 2010 Health Campus Dr.
- Sentara RMH Senior Services - The Atrium, 2000 Beery Road, Harrisonburg
- Price Rotary Senior Center - 309 S Dogwood Dr., Harrisonburg
- VPAS Office - 985 S. High St., Harrisonburg
In Highland County:
- VPAS office, 49 Spruce Street, Monterey, VA 24465
- Highland County Public Library, 31 N. Water Street, Monterey VA 24465
In Bath County:
- Bath Community Hospital, 106 Park Street, Hot Springs VA 24445
In Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro:
- Fishersville Public Library - 1759 Jefferson Hwy, Fishersville, VA
- Waynesboro Public Library - 600 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA
- Waynesboro Family YMCA - 648 S Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA
In Buena Vista, Lexington, and Rockbridge County:
- Maury River Senior Center - 2137 Magnolia Avenue, Buena Vista, VA 24416
- Kendal at Lexington - 160 Kendal Drive, Lexington, VA 24450
At the end of the collection period, VPAS staff and volunteers will distribute the donations to older adults receiving Meals on Wheels.
“Not only are these donations practical for our older neighbors, but the extra touch point and the compassion they receive boosts their spirits,” said Joyce Nussbaum, VPAS Program Director. “Knowing people care brings a great deal of hope to the start of a new year.”
Opening Minds Through Art - Reception and Art Show
Opening Minds through Art (OMA) is an internationally recognized arts program designed for those living with dementia and other cognitive concerns. It invites volunteers to pair up with these persons (the artists) and guide them through a process of creating various abstract art projects. Some of the goals of OMA include: learning about abstract artists and creating abstract art, building positive rapport between the volunteer and the artist, and offering time to engage in the creative process with autonomy and fun.
Please join us for an Opening Reception and Art Show featuring the works of these individuals who have completed the program! Artists will have their art on display during the reception, and many of the artists will be present.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 from 10:30am - 12:00pm
WHERE: VPAS, 985 S. High Street, Harrisonburg, VA
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Call 540.471.5633
Another Successful Confident Caregiver Conference
November 5, 2025 - More than 130 caregivers, aging services leaders, and volunteers gathered for the 5th Annual VPAS Confident Caregiver Conference at Blue Ridge Community College on Wed., Nov. 5, 2025. This year's dynamic event began with lively interaction at our Resource Fair, where representatives from 20 organizations shared about their services with attendees.
Following the Resource Fair, the keynote speaker, revisionary gerontologist Sonya Barsness, helped attendees see caregiving through a different lens with her presentation on Person-Centered Care. (To download the presentation, click here.) Conference participants continued their learning journey with sessions on dementia resources, home health and safety, self-care, and more. They participated in a group abstract Opening Minds through Art project, felt the stress melt away with chair massages, and learned about the difference between healing and curing during a unique music therapy presentation.
As the time together drew to a close, VPAS team members shared about the extensive VPAS programs available for older adults and their caregivers in our area, then finished the day with an exciting round of door prizes.
Admission to the conference, which included lunch, was completely
free for all attendees, thanks to these generous sponsors:
Blue Ridge Community College
Bridgewater Retirement Community
Clark & Bradshaw
Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge
VMRC
Visiting Angels of the Shenandoah Valley
First Bank
Meadowcrest Audiology
Kendal at Lexington
Brookdale Senior Living
Right at Home
Legacy Hospice
Valley Care Management
Care is There
Sunnyside Retirement Community
Summit Square Retirement Community
First Choice Home Health and Hospice
VPAS Awarded Groundbreaking Grant to Launch Respite Center
November 10, 2025 - Valley Program for Aging Services (VPAS), the local area agency on aging, was awarded a USAging seed grant of nearly $50,000 to fund a respite center for older adults living with dementia and their caregivers.
The Innovative Caregiver Services Grant was one of only eight awarded nationwide by USAging, the national association representing and supporting the network of Area Agencies on Aging.
VPAS will work with local partners to establish an 18-month pilot respite program called “The Gathering Place” in Waynesboro. The Gathering Place is a volunteer-driven program designed to provide caregivers much-needed respite while offering those living with dementia high quality engagement and person-centered activities.
This respite program is a collaborative effort between VPAS, Greater Augusta Coalition against Adult Abuse (GACAAA) and life plan/assisted living communities and similar organizations in the Staunton, Augusta and Waynesboro (SAW) area.
“This grant will allow us to create a win-win-win opportunity for those living with dementia, their caregivers, and local residents seeking meaningful volunteer work,” said VPAS Executive Director, Beth Bland. “The Gathering Place will provide caregivers with a much-needed break while their loved ones enjoy valuable social connection and volunteer-led activities, increasing their ability to age in place. And, it will give these families access to the education, resources and support they need on their journey,” she added.
The Gathering Place will be open on Wednesdays beginning in mid-November at VPAS Waynesboro Senior Services. Families do not need to reside in the SAW area to participate. VPAS staff will provide screenings to ensure eligibility. The cost to participate is $20 for up to two hours or $40 for up to four hours of respite. Scholarships may be available. For more information about how to register, contact Joyce Nussbaum, VPAS Program Director, at 540.615.5341.
This project is supported by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial award totaling $49,610.92 with 56% percentage funded by ACL/HHS and $38,964.80 and 44% percentage funded by non-government source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACL/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
VPAS 2025-2027 Strategic Plan Released
February 24, 2025 - VPAS' 2025-2027 Strategic Plan is now complete and available to the public. Producing this plan has involved much time and input from the VPAS staff, the Board of Directors and Advisory Council, and the clients VPAS serves. We look forward to seeing the further development and implementation of these plans and goals and welcome the community's support.