A $10,000 donation will make the new year brighter for many area senior adults in need of a meal.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions donated the money to the Gail Reyes Senior Center in Barnwell Dec. 18. The Golden Harvest Food Bank, Area Churches Together Serving, Community Ministry of North Augusta and Senior Citizens Council of Greater Augusta and the CSRA also received a $10,000 donation.
"They asked me if I was sitting down," said Lisa Firmender, the executive director of Generations Unlimited, which runs the senior center. She was referring to a Dec. 14 phone call from SRNS officials concerning the surprise donation.
The senior center was recommended for the donation by SRNS employees who helped with the United Way's Project CARE event earlier this year.
Firmender said the donation is welcome news for the home delivered meal program as they've experienced budget cuts. It will pay for more than a month of meals - 3,436 to be exact - which "helps keep (senior shut-ins) healthy and as independent as they can be so they can stay at home."
"This is a great Christmas present to a lot of seniors," said Firmender. "We're certainly counting our blessings."
SRNS President and CEO Dwayne Wilson, whose company regularly helps United Way agencies and non-profit organizations, said he was glad they could assist the five agencies, especially during the holiday season. "We're fully aware of the shortages and the pain, both financial and emotional, that so many are now experiencing throughout the region," Wilson said.
The senior center served 110 seniors 2,073 meals in November alone. To be able to continue serving area seniors, Firmender said donations, as well as volunteers are always needed.
Volunteers can help deliver meals once a week or even once per month.
For more information on donating or volunteering, call the center at (803) 259-4599 or Generations Unlimited at (803) 541-1249.