VERO BEACH — The Senior Resource Association (SRA) received a $10,000 grant from The UPS Foundation, the charitable arm of UPS (NYSE:UPS.) The grant will be used toward the creation of a meandering garden for Adult Day Care program clients.
“We are very grateful to receive this grant for use towards the garden for our Adult Day Care program. The installation of a meandering, healing garden is a critical component of this project, as studies show that clients who have a therapeutic outdoor area enjoy benefits such as: lifted moods, decreased agitation, more exercise, increased appetite, and improved overall health,” said SRA President and CEO Karen Deigl.
SRA currently hosts its Adult Day Care program in a 1952 retrofitted house which has become functionally obsolete. Of Indian River County’s age 60 and older population, 12% have Alzheimer ’s disease and 13% have at least one disability.
In moving the Adult Day Care to the Schumann Center, SRA expects significant improvements in clients’ mobility and independence, increased enrollment, and increased participant and family satisfaction.
“Without the help of SRA, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and former UPS employee Dennis Cairns, SRA would not have been aware of this grant opportunity,” Deigl added.
Dennis also assisted in SRA’s receipt of a $25,000 grant from The UPS Foundation back in 2007, which was primarily used to purchase a meal delivery van for its Meals on Wheels program.
Established in 1951 and based in Atlanta, GA, The UPS Foundation identifies specific areas where its backing clearly impacts social issues.
In support of this strategic approach, The UPS Foundation has identified the following focus areas for giving: nonprofit effectiveness, encouraging diversity, community safety, and environmental sustainability.
In 2011, The UPS Foundation distributed more than $45.3 million worldwide through grants that benefit organizations or programs like the Senior Resource Association and provide support for building stronger communities.
“The UPS Foundation is honored to support the Senior Resource Association’s efforts to enhance the Adult Day Care program. Our goal is to fund powerful programs that make a lasting difference to the global community,” said Eduardo Martinez, President of The UPS Foundation.