Former Lower Salford Township Board of Supervisor Doug Gifford poses for a picture with his family at Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Service’s annual fundraising banquet, where he was honored as the organization’s 2024 Pillar of the Community. Photo by John Worthington | The Reporter.
Greater Harleysville and North Penn Senior Services (GHNPSS) Wednesday evening paid tribute to former Lower Salford Supervisor Doug Gifford, its 2024 “Pillar of the Community.”
“Tonight, we honor Doug Gifford as our 2024 Pillar, not only for his role in our larger community but for his specific role in building and sustaining the relationship between us and Lower Salford Township,” said Elizabeth Beil, executive director of GHNPSS.
Gifford was honored during GNHPSS’s annual fundraising banquet at the Indian Valley Country Club, featuring a silent auction, a live auction, a cash bar and more. The event benefits GHNPSS two senior centers, Encore Experiences in Harleysville and the PEAK Center in Lansdale, which provide a range of programs and services to seniors, including wellness and fitness classes, educational workshops, nutritious meals and more.
Gifford, who served on the Lower Salford Board of Supervisors from 1990 to 2023, was a staunch supporter of GHNPSS throughout his tenure, said Beil.
“He recognized the value of an organization dedicated to offering key programs and services to help older adults in his community,” said Beil. “Over the years, he has diligently promoted the work of GHNPSS to allow seniors to build meaningful connections, have access to nutritious meals, engage in intellectually stimulating programs and participate in wellness classes.”
Gifford speaks at GHNPSS’s fundraising banquet, where he was honored as the organization’s 2024 Pillar of the Community.Gifford also served on the Zoning Hearing Board and the Indian Valley Public Library Board and was a member of Harleysville Jaycees, a volunteer philanthropic organization, where he helped organize the annual Country Days fair fundraiser to benefit the Harleysville Community Center. He additionally ran a law practice, Clemens, Nulty & Gifford, for 50 years and currently serves as chairman of Lower Salford Township Recreation Authority.
Keith Bergman, chairman of the Lower Salford Board of Supervisors, praised Gifford for his dedication to preserving community resources, recalling when Gifford successfully rallied local municipalities to share in the funding of the Indian Valley Public Library after the Souderton Area School District discontinued its funding for the institution.
“The funding commitment garnered by Doug from the surrounding municipalities ensured that the library did not have to cut key community programs and services,” said Bergman.
State Rep. Donna Scheuren described Gifford as a “mentor” before presenting him with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
“The great aspect of being at the House of Representatives, when we’re able to give citations to honor people like Mr. Gifford for all that they’ve done for the community, everything that goes into the citations gets written into the history books of the Capitol,” said Scheuren. “So Doug Gifford gets etched into our history forever in a day.”
Elizabeth Beil, GHNPSS’s Executive Director, speaks at the organization’s 2024 fundraising banquet.Gifford described the tribute to his community service as “ironic” but “meaningful.” He recalled his first task on the Board of Supervisors — designing a township seal for Lower Salford’s Bisesquicentennial.
“We had to establish a model for the township seal,” said Gifford. “We didn’t have a Latin dictionary, so we settled on ‘Gemeinschaft,’ a German word loosely translated as ‘a sense of community.’”
Striving to foster a sense of community spirit, Gifford said that he always worked to support organizations such as GHNPSS, the library and the community center.
“All of these and similar organizations deserve everyone’s support and encouragement to continue, as a common thread found in each is a goal of living together in peace and prosperity of mind and body,” said Gifford. “In short, a better community for all.”
Gifford championed community service as a “rewarding” experience that provided him with a deep sense of fulfillment.
“Community service of any kind is altruism at its best, but it’s also one the most fulfilling things you can do and enjoy at the same time.”
In closing, Gifford expressed immense gratitude to the event’s organizers and attendees. He left the audience with one word.
“Gemeinschaft,” he said.
Dozens gather at the Indian Valley Country Club for GHNPSS’s 2024 fundraising banquet.This article appears courtesy of a content share agreement between North Penn Now and The Reporter. To read more stories like this, visit www.thereporteronline.com.
