On July 10, 2025, Covenant Village celebrated its second annual Legacy of Care Season of Giving with an event that highlighted major advances made in its Legacy of Care philanthropic program.

More than $526,000 was raised during May and June in support of the five philanthropic pillars of Legacy of Care, representing the Benevolent Fund, Workforce Investment, Enrichment and Innovation, Capital Support, and Where the Need is Greatest.

At the event, members of the Legacy of Care Committee thanked this year’s donors and described how giving to Covenant Village contributes to the overall vitality of resident life and care. Jenn Barker, Senior Director of Human Resources, expressed her appreciation and celebrated the first-time participation of employees who raised $5,000 toward Legacy of Care initiatives.

“This year, we saw a tremendous increase and advancement in buy-in, investment, and broad support from residents, their families, our Board, employees, and other friends of Covenant Village,” said the community’s CEO, Dale Melton. “We are not here to pat each other on the back. We’re here to celebrate what can only be accomplished together! And, most importantly, to celebrate how God has blessed each of us to make a difference and to be a blessing to others through our giving,” he added.

Melton reported all the ways this year’s contributions will be used to support the mission of Covenant Village, including a new bus, funding for a woodworking/hobby shop, renovations to the Assembly Room, scholarship and professional development opportunities for employees, technology innovations, and more!

View a brief video celebration here:  Celebrating the Season 2025

Only in its second year, the Legacy of Care giving program was formally developed to recognize and foster the culture of giving at Covenant Village, which was built on philanthropic energy and generosity more than 40 years ago.

“A culture of philanthropy is about opportunity,” said Melton. “We want to offer opportunities for people to make a difference. People love to give. No matter where each of us is in a particular Season of Life, God has blessed each of us uniquely and creatively to always be in a Season of Giving to:

• Lift up this wonderful place we call home
• Make a difference in others’ lives
• Leave this world better than we found it
• Contribute our all – heart, mind, soul, and resources

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, our residents, and staff, I thank you for all that you do for Covenant Village,” Melton concluded.

The celebration of the Season of Giving was made sweeter by an array of cookies, handmade by residents, future residents, Board members, and community leaders who serve on the Legacy of Care Committee.

After the celebration, donors picked up their ornaments that had been displayed on the Giving Tree throughout the Season of Giving emphasis.

The annual Season of Giving each spring is part of Covenant Village’s yearlong giving program that provides residents, their families, future residents, employees, Board members, and friends of Covenant Village the opportunity to give back and enrich the enduring legacy of retirement living and care in Gastonia, North Carolina.

To learn more and to donate, visit www.covenantvillagenc.com/giving