Vitality Respite Center

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

St. Andrew's Academy 3-year-old classes performed for the Vitality Respite Center this past week. It was an enjoyable performance for all.

03/27/2026

Last Saturday we hosted an Appreciation Luncheon for our compassionate, and dedicated Vitality volunteers. They are rock stars!! Which was our theme. Great fun was had, along with good food and fellowship. We even got a spirited game of noodle volleyball and was serenaded by a wonderful daughter-mother duet. Yes, our volunteers are rock stars!

03/07/2026

A group of nine volunteers from the Vitality Respite Center attended the Whirlwind Respite Leadership Conference in Birmingham, AL earlier this month. It was a truly inspiring experience for our team. The speakers and sessions highlighted innovative approaches in caring for those with memory issues including things like silent disco, sharing our stories with Legos, and a TV network just for those with dementia. We had meaningful conversations with others about the challenges and rewards of respite care. And we had fun! Well worth the trip.

02/26/2026

Vitality Respite Center is "drumming along" smoothly after 2 years. Playing Duck Derby and filling up pet food bags for our church's Food Pantry guests.

02/21/2026

Look who is two years old!! And still going strong in our community.

St. Andrew’s Family and Friends, help us celebrate the 2-year anniversary of Vitality Respite Center, a community-based ministry of compassion, care, and a commitment to supporting persons with memory loss and their caregivers in the Brandon and greater Tampa Bay Area!

For two years, Vitality has been a place of nurturing worth, dignity, connection, and rest. It is a safe and fun space where guests are welcomed with smiling faces, activities, and social well-being while caregivers are given the gift of time to breathe, tend to their own needs, and know they are not alone.

Without the faithfulness of God and those who pour into Vitality, this incredible milestone would not be possible. Thank you to all of the volunteers, staff, board members, community partners, and families that make Vitality live up to its namesake: a place where people can thrive and also find rest.

If you know of anyone who could benefit from this program, or if you would like to be a volunteer to help in a fun and exciting environment, Vitality Respite Center is the place for you! Contact Terri Hartney, Program Director at [email protected] for more information, visit the Vitality website at https://www.saumc.net/vitality-respite-center or visit the Vitality page

Vitality Respite Center is a ministry of St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church. This center is made possible by a grant from the Brookdale Foundation.

12/23/2025

Our friends at the Vitality Respite Center had the pleasure of Santa and Mrs. Claus stopping by for a visit. Fortunately, everyone was on the "nice" list. Wishing everyone a joyous Christmas and a hopeful New Year.

12/10/2025

Vitality Respite Center had a great day preparing for the Christmas holiday by making cookies and playing games. Vitality provides a loving and caring environment for those with memory issues, as well as providing a break for their caregivers. Contact [email protected] for more information.

10/11/2025

Just catching up with some Vitality Respite Center pictures we neglected to post. Here are pics of fun times in the last few months. Vitality is a place for those with memory loss issues where they can go to have fun, nurture relationships, and find their value and worth which they so deserve. And to give their caregivers a break. For more information contact Terri Hartney at [email protected].

05/16/2025

Want to find out about the heart and soul of the Vitality Respite Center? Watch this documentary from the Respite for All Foundation, the model for Vitality at St. Andrew's UMC.

The Respite for All Foundation helps churches and senior service organizations create joyful, uplifting weekday programs for our friends living with Alzheime...