Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On Wednesday, May 6, the Jefferson Senior Citizens Center (JSCC) was visited by two members of the United Way of the Big Bend (UWBB) as the charitable organization provided the senior center with a much-needed cash donation.
A total of 14 different North Florida agencies received relief checks from the UWBB.
According to Molly Lord, the Vice-President of Resource Development at UWBB, her organization had a total of $120,000 in donated funds that was – in turn – donated back into the community through agencies and organizations such as the JSCC.
On May 6, UWBB was represented at the senior center by Lord as well as Tacorra Jenkins (the Jefferson County Account Manager) while the senior center's Director Audria Flowers and several JSCC Board Members were present to accept the check.
While standing in the sunny parking lot and keeping several feet between them, UWBB Vice-President Lord handed Director Flowers a $2,500 check, with Lord adding that the funds had been collected through the UWBB's partnership with Florida Blue and the Truist Financial Corporation.
“We are excited to be here and offer this check,” added Lord, interjecting that the $2,500 check would serve the community of Jefferson County by equipping the senior center to continue providing services to the area's senior population.
Director Flowers agreed with that, stating that her senior center already had plans on how to put the gifted check to work.
“We are so excited to have this award,” said Flowers. “We are going to use this grant to give hot meals to seniors, as well as gloves and other things that they may need during this pandemic.”
“We are grateful, today, for you all,” added JSCC Board President Miner Brookins. “We appreciate it and we say thank you, thank you, thank you.”
According to Brookins, COVID-19 has prevented the senior center from holding some of their crucial springtime fundraisers that allow them to serve meals and offer programs to the county's senior citizens.
As the senior center often depends greatly on community support and fundraising, this check comes at a “needed time,” she says.
Any senior citizen of Jefferson County who is in need of a hot meal or any other assistance can contact the Jefferson Senior Citizens Center at (850) 342-0242.
The center is currently kept closed to visitors, due to COVID-19, but calls will still be accepted and the center is still providing hot meals. For more details, contact the center to arrange a meal pick-up.
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