Donald and Mary Ellen Harp of Peachtree Road United Methodist to Be Honored with “Community Connections” Award

WSB Reporter Audrey Washington to Emcee Fundraising Event

Senior Connections, a local non-profit organization providing home and community-based services to seniors in metro Atlanta and middle Georgia, will spotlight Dr. Donald and Mary Ellen Harp of Peachtree Road United Methodist Church as guests of honor at the 2016 Senior Prom, scheduled for Saturday, 21 May 2016 at the Thalia N. Carlos Hellenic Center in Atlanta. The Harps will receive Senior Connections’ 2016 “Community Connections” Award. This award, established in 2009, recognizes older adults who have been, and continue to be, outstanding business and community leaders, and who have given back significantly to the communities in which they live and work.

“The faith-based community has supported Senior Connections from its very inception,” said Debra Furtado, chief executive officer of Senior Connections. “To honor the Harps with our Community Connections Award is to give back just a little for everything that has been given to us from all the faiths of our community.”

Dr. Donald “Don” Harp is Minister Emeritus at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church where he served as its Senior Minister for 20 years. His wife, Mary Ellen, has also dedicated her life to the church, working alongside her husband in the church nursery and leading various mission programs.

“Senior Connections was founded by the Methodists many years ago and became the DeKalb Community Council on Aging,” continued Furtado. “The Methodists founded us and First Christian Church in Decatur housed us for years. The entire faith-based community, folks of all faiths, continue to support our organization knowing the power of enabling independence as people age.

The Harps’ commitment to community extends far beyond the church. In addition to his leadership position at Peachtree Road United Methodist, Dr. Harp also serves on the boards of both Fidelity Bank and Fidelity Southern Corporation as well as a member of the Buckhead Coalition and a Trustee of Young Harris College. He currently teaches at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He received his undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College, his Masters of Divinity from Emory University and his Doctorate of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago.

Mrs. Harp delivered Meals on Wheels with different groups throughout her life. She continues to participate in the United Women’s Methodist monthly meetings where she writes hundreds of notes with the group to seniors on a regular basis. A recent $10 million Youth Center was erected and dedicated as the Don and Mary Ellen Harp Youth Center. Most of the youth who attend the center today are the same babies Mrs. Harp rocked in the nursery.

The Harps will receive their award at Senior Connections’ 2016 Senior Prom, with this year’s theme “Celebrating Aging!” WSB-TV news reporter Audrey Washington will serve as emcee for the event, and local “soul line dancing” phenomenon Beulah Boys will perform. The event will also include dinner, dancing and a silent auction.

Senior Prom’s corporate sponsors include Fidelity Bank, Choate Construction, Autotrader, Senior Life Services, Publix, Georgia Natural Gas, Young Harris College, Georgia Power, Silverman CPM, Emory Alliance Credit Union, Kaiser Permanente and Brooks, McGinnis & Company, LLC.

All proceeds raised will provide funding for Senior Connections’ programs and operational expenses.

For more information about the event, including becoming a corporate sponsor, purchasing tickets and/or donating silent auction items, contact Sharon Steele at 770.216.2576 or [email protected] .

About Senior Connections

Since 1973 Senior Connections has provided programs and services designed to help seniors “age in place” in the comfort of their own homes. More than 15,000 nutritious meals are prepared weekly out of Senior Connections’ main kitchen, and meals are distributed throughout metro Atlanta and middle Georgia. In addition to providing this large number of meals, the nonprofit agency provides home repair, in-home care and neighborhood centers to area seniors. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, services are available to anyone over the age of 62, regardless of income level. More information is available at www.seniorconnectionsatl.org.