The eighth Charity Pro-Am Golf Tournament and Dinner at the Riomar Golf Club drew another sold-out crowd of generous sponsors, golfers and diners to raise funds for the Senior Resource Association, particularly its Meals on Wheels program.
Earlier in the day golfers had been paired with skilled PGA golf professionals for a great day out on the links, before coming in to mingle with the dinner crowd over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. A delicious gourmet meal ensued, with another hugely productive live auction and paddle raise, and the handing out of tournament awards.
After recognizing and thanking everyone involved, Mike Smith, event co-chair with wife Sassy, noted that this is the 50th anniversary of the Senior Resource Association.
“I think that’s an incredible accomplishment; 50 years is a long time ago. To keep a program going and thriving is quite a testament,” said Smith.
“SRA has been the lead designated agency for aging people and home-based community services in Indian River County and all of you helped to make that possible. Together we’re now serving 2,500 meals every week and that number continues to grow.”
Referencing the volunteers who deliver those essential meals, he said that in many cases they are the only people the recipients talk to.
“They are their communicator, for every single day. They are the first liaison for health,” said Smith, adding that the volunteers report back when seniors need additional assistance.
“Your support enables SRA to help hundreds of seniors with Meals on Wheels and other basic needs that you and I may take for granted. We’re feeding many, many seniors, and yet there’s this wait list that grows every month by a minimum of 10,” said Smith.
“On any given day more than 800 seniors are on a wait list for various services. It could be laundry, medication management, bathing, alert systems for falls and health crises, day-away services for declining seniors and their family caregivers, and, of course, Meals on Wheels,” he added.
“The generosity of our sponsors has been overwhelming and the ongoing support of everyone in this room is so important to the seniors we serve,” said Karen Deigl, SRA president and CEO, reiterating her appreciation for their kindness and compassion.
“With one in four Americans now age 60 and over, our senior population is growing rapidly.
And as Mike has noted, so is the wait list for food and services. Seniors should not have to choose between shelter, medication and food. And thanks to the tremendous outpouring of support from all of you, many no longer have to make those difficult decisions,” said Deigl.
In a video presentation, MOW volunteers spoke about the importance of the program, calling it a “real call to action,” and several of the recipients shared how grateful they are for the daily visits and meals.
For more information, visit SeniorResourceAssociation.org.
Photos by Mary Schenkel
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- Wivi-Anne Weber with Bill and Henriette Churney
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- George and Elke Fetterolf with Liz Bruner and Chris Deigl.
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- Madeline Long, Karen Deigl and George Long.
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- Mary Rice, Susan Hazard, Bob Van Dyk, Trudie Rainone and Linda Triolo.
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- Marty Stinson, Barbara Diemer and Mary Sue Brown
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- Sally Spilman, Pip Donnellan, Judi Bradley and Judy Munn
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- John Spilman, Todd Leckrone and Mark Bradley
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- Zac Courtenay, Carl Hays and Matthew Challenor.
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- Tyler Parish, Andy Williams, Andrew Simons and Brett Belade.
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- Bill Munn and Richard Bradley.
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- John Dyer, Jan Williams and Mayor John Cotugno.
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- Cathy Richey, Ann Piper and Barbara Richey.
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- Marty Small and Nancy Herling.
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- Steve Dubord, Dave Rhinehart, Michael Pierce and Will Grady.
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- Linda and Neill Currie with Margaret and Jeff Hamilton.
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- Jack Haire and Clark Baruch with Steve and Jody Jones.
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- Ruth Reynolds and Lindsey Franklin.
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- Doug Jones with Toby and Susan Levy and Jerome and Marcie Hunsaker
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- Mike and Sassy Smith
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- Trudie Rainone, Karen Deigl and Ruth Ann McGuinnis.
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- Este Brashears and William Kendrick
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- Ted and Dawn Michael
