Senior Service of Alexandria board chair Christine Friedberg, left, stands with the 2025 community service award honorees at the SSA Gala March 29 at the Westin Alexandria. Honored were Col. Jim Paige, Jane King, Jack Fannon and Lucelle O’Flaherty, who received the community spirit award.
A sellout crowd of more than 400 attendees filled the ballroom of the Westin Alexandria Old Town Hotel March 29 as Senior Services of Alexandria raised more than $185,000 at its annual gala celebrating 57 years of serving the City of Alexandria.
“The gala was a fantastic success,” said SSA executive director Mary Lee Anderson, who for the first time missed the evening after suffering a broken ankle due to a fall. “Thank goodness my staff is fantastic. The gala went perfectly. They are always so well organized and do a great job but this year they went above and beyond.”
The evening’s program highlighted SSA’s vital work in the city and honored individuals who have made a lasting impact on the lives of Alexandria’s older adults.
The 2025 honorees were Jack Fannon, Jane King and Col. Jim Paige (ret), who were recognized with the Community Service Award. Lucelle O’Flaherty was presented with the Community Spirit Award.
For the first time the annual silent auction was held virtually as bidders were able to bid either online or in person. A limited ticket raffle was held for tickets to see music icons Billy Joel and Sting perform at Nationals Park in September.
“Our virtual auction went smoothly,” Anderson said. “I think people really enjoyed that.
Presenting sponsor of the event was Benchmark at Alexandria
Susan Kellom, seated, with Alex Crawford-Batt, Joe Swartz, Councilwoman Sarah Bagley, Councilman Kirk McPike, and Cele Garrett.