Darb Snyder Holmes County Senior Center grateful for Wal-Marts wheel of a deal for meals
A broken air conditioner here, a major vehicle improvement there, and all of a sudden unforeseen bills can create a major burden on a nonprofit organization like the Darb Snyder Holmes County Senior Center.Facing some looming expenses on their meals-on-wheels vehicles, Penny Hamilton, the centers business manager, put some quality time into drawing up a grant proposal to The Wal-Mart Foundation in hopes of securing a grant that would at the very least allow them to purchase a new vehicle for their important task of delivering meals-on-wheels to elderly throughout Holmes County in addition to other important functions that allow seniors to live a better life.What they got was more than they ever could have imagined. The Wal-Mart Foundation stepped up in a big way, uniting with the Ohio State Giving Advisory Council to present the Senior Center with a check for $50,000.A letter from the State Giving Team Wal-Mart Foundation written to the Senior Center informing it of its gift stated, Your organization is doing important work in the community you serve, and we are proud to support you in your efforts. Thank you for expanding our mission and joining us in fighting hunger and improving nutrition, creating economic opportunities, and strengthening communities through support of local causes.For the senior center it was a godsend, and Georgie Cool, volunteer director, said it was a monumental moment for the center.It was emotional. I cried for a whole day, said Cool, which stresses exactly how important this grant was. We didnt have money to buy a new vehicle, and our HHR van was starting to nickel and dime us to death.The former vehicle was five-years old, but because of the enormous number of miles it racks up and the rough terrain it travels making deliveries, it took a beating.Wal-Marts generosity allowed the center to use the old vehicle for emergency situations.The senior centers hope upon receiving the grant was to purchase one new delivery truck and make repairs on the old one. Thanks to a generous offer from Village Motors, they were able to double their pleasure, purchasing a pair of new vehicles that will allow the center to enhance its delivery of meals-on-wheels as well as perform other crucial activities with seniors such as take them grocery shopping, taking patients to dialysis appointments, make medical runs and a number of other activities that would not be available to seniors were it not for the center.Not only is meals-on-wheels important for the delivery of food to county senior citizens, but the drivers also serve as companions and have at multiple times found seniors who fell and were unable to get up or in a chair or bed unable to call for help.Its an important role in our community, Cool said. In a sense, the generosity of Wal-Mart combined with the incredible offer from Village Motors was important well beyond the food.This was a financial lifesaver for us and for our clients, Cool said.The senior center was quite frugal in choosing their vehicles, opting for no-frills vehicles that would be sturdy and dependable. The two vehicles that were purchases included a Chrysler van, which also will be used for medical transportation, and a Ford Transit cargo van, both of which were brand new. Cool said that the senior center is currently accepting new clients for the meals-on-wheels program. Candidates must be at least 60 years of age, and the program is based on a donation-only basis. We refuse no services, so anyone over 60 may sign up, Cool said.Seniors can sign up by calling Hamilton at 330-674-0580.
