Friends help Neighbors

admin — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 18:54:10 +0000

A concerned citizen called on behalf of his neighbor who had no running water for the past three years. There was an urgent need to have the plumbing restored in the house. Friends got things flowing.

Knowing who your ‘Friends’ are

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 19:26:03 +0000

Gwinnett County, facing deep financial challenges, was unable to meet the required financial match to accept $69,411 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant funds targeted to feed Gwinnett seniors in need. Grant funds are distributed through a contract with the Atlanta Regional Commission, as are the other grant-funded programs for seniors in Gwinnett. Upon finding out that the required county fund match was not available, Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services stepped up to ’save the day.’

Friends President Pam Tokarz emphatically stated, “We do not want to lose any opportunity to feed our needy or frail seniors residing in this county.” In lieu of losing these funds to another county, The Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services committed to funding the $12,248 needed to match the stimulus grant funds offer, thereby providing more than 8,600 additional senior meals in the next year.

Faced with continuing state budget cut projections and a monthly meals waiting list nearing 200 seniors, this timely commitment really underscores the value of “knowing who your ‘Friends’ are.”

Friends Has Got Your Back

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:13:58 +0000

A call was received whereas a senior was in desperate need. Her lights were turned off as she was undergoing some financial constraints. She had not been taking her required daily medications and had not seen the doctor for about three months, mostly due to transportation issues. In addition, there was not sufficient food in the home. She had no family in the local area who could help her on a daily basis. Friends was able to assist this senior to get back on her feet.

Luck of the Friends

admin — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 21:10:01 +0000

Gwinnett County municipal workers recently cut off gas supply to a Norcross neighborhood to make repairs. When they went to re-light a senior’s furnace pilot light, they discovered a problem that prevented them from being able to reignite. They warned the client and advised that she have a licensed professional check out her heating system. A senior-friendly business partner came and determined that a cracked heat exchanger could lead to gas collection and subsequent explosion or distribution of deadly carbon monoxide gas. Friends support helped to put in a safe heater.

Friends Forever

admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:19:51 +0000

Grand families involve multiple generations living under one roof. One elderly great-grandmother was raising several grandchildren and six-great-grandchildren in a household with major plumbing issues. Bathing involved stovetop heating of water from outside faucets. During the course of the major plumbing project, skilled volunteers discovered additional appliance problems that were corrected. Friends’ assistance to bathe has created friends forever.

If Not for Friends

admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:17:55 +0000

A senior who was legally blind and just underwent surgery, came home to a house with septic problems. It was soon discovered by a trustworthy volunteer that her sewer line needed to be replaced. Thanks to this volunteer of donating his expertise and time and Friends for contributing to the expenses, repairs were completed. This enabled the family to continue living under the same roof for four generations.

Local Group Marks 10 Years

admin — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 20:01:52 +0000

Posted from the Gwinnett gab; 2/12/2009 12:01:00 AM
of the Gwinnett Daily Post

From staff reports

Local Group Marks 10 Years

LAWRENCEVILLE – Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services is celebrating 10 years of service. The nonprofit, volunteer organization was established in March 1999 and has raised funds to support programs and address senior needs.

Gwinnett has the second largest senior population in Georgia. The Friends organization has donated two fully equipped Meals on Wheels trucks and two cars for homemaking services to Gwinnett County Senior Services. Friends has also met budget shortfalls by supporting 133,825 meals and nutritional dietary supplement drinks and distributed funds for emergency assistance, home repair, food baskets, dental and medical health and wellness screenings to seniors.

To volunteer or make a donation to Friends, call Celia Moore at 770-822-8775, or visit the Web site at www.gwinnettseniorservices.com.

Caption for photo above: Bidding on items – Staff Photo: Heather Darenberg
Patrons bid on items at last year’s Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services’ silent auction, which raised more than $30,000. This year’s silent auction theme will be the “Roaring Twenties” and will be held July 30.

Two Lives for the Price of Friends

admin — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 23:18:45 +0000

Electrical appliances and standing water don’t mix; Friends-supported professional roofing repair and volunteer labor helped them avoid this threat. Coincidentally, Mr. M. mentioned to the volunteers that he was suffering from excruciating tooth pain. Dental services by Dr. Nguyen to scrape tartar, fill cavities, and crown a badly-cracked tooth saved Mr. M. from potential serious gum disease leading to life-threatening systemic bacterial poisoning.