PICKENS COUNTY — Rep. Neal Collins celebrated a birthday July 6 and instead of receiving cards from friends and well wishes on social media, he took a different approach that made an impact on Pickens County Meals on Wheels.
Collins issued a challenge to all those who would normally take to social media — specifically Facebook which announces to all on your friends list it is your birthday — to forego bombarding his page and instead make a $1 or $5 donation in his name to Meals on Wheels.
Going even further, Collins stated he would match every donation up to $500 which would all go to Pickens County Meals on Wheels.
“I didn’t know how it would go,” Collins said. “I thought setting the match at $500 was setting a high bar. However, the match was met at 10:50 a.m. Fifty-one individuals donated a combined $780. With the $500 match, PCMOW will receive $1,280 or enough for 320 meals for seniors in Pickens County.”
Meta Bowers, executive director of Pickens County Meals on Wheels, said she was moved by the idea and what message it sends.
“I think this was an extremely cool idea, and we are glad Meals on Wheels could be part of it,” Bowers said. “These donations will not only provide 320 nutritious meals, they will also provide one of the greatest gifts you can give – love and the knowledge that someone cares.”
Day in and day out Meals on Wheels is there for seniors who need their support. Each week day they provide a hot nutritious meal, a friendly visit and a safety check to 310 homebound seniors.
Bowers estimates the organization will deliver more than 70,000 meals in 2016. And she is quick to acknowledge that volunteers and donors are the vital ingredients needed to make this happen.
“Everyone knows someone who’s been touched by Meals on Wheels,” said Bowers. “They are our parents, neighbors, teachers, friends, the people who taught us, kept us safe and gave back to our communities. Caring for our senior neighbors is a community effort. Representative Collins’ challenge is a perfect example of how each of us can do our own small part to make incredible things happen.”
Services offered by Pickens County Meals on Wheels are crucial to helping seniors cope with the three biggest threats of aging: hunger, isolation and loss of independence. The frequent deliveries provide the much needed peace of mind that allows the frailest and most vulnerable seniors to remain safely in their own homes and live with the dignity, respect and independence they deserve.
Visit www.pcmow.org or call Marsha Robertson at 864-712-0289 or 864-855-3770 for more information.