Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Center at Belvedere is celebrating 65 years of service, with Executive Director Melanie Benjamin emphasizing its continued dedication to the Charlottesville community. Despite a temporary closure due to weather, the Center remains active, with planned initiatives such as a day trip to Lynchburg for a play. 

One of the Center’s major upcoming engagements is its role as a beneficiary of the Charlottesville Ten Miler, a race that has become a local tradition. “We are the proud and very grateful recipients of one of the primary beneficiaries of the largess that comes from the folks who buy in to do the race,” Benjamin shared. She also called for volunteers to help support the event, emphasizing the importance of community involvement. 

Benjamin stressed the value of volunteerism, particularly for older adults, as a way to stay engaged and connected. “One of the ways that you can get out, that you can share your skill sets with people, that you can meet new people and engage with them, this can be this can be multi-generational… This can be mentoring, or it can be spending a Saturday with some really other cool people,” she said. Despite the day’s closure, Benjamin remains focused on the Center’s mission, looking forward to reopening and continuing to serve the community. 

Listen here for the full conversation: