SAVANNAH, GA October 6 2017 – Anonymous donors have pledged $100,000 to help Senior Citizens Inc. fund expansions necessary to meet the rapidly growing needs of the aging population in our area. However, a total of $100,000 in matching gifts is required from the community by October 31 to obtain the funds.  

Over the next 15 years, the percentage of older adults (60+) in Chatham County will swell from 28% to more than 40% of the county’s population. To meet the increased demand for services, earlier this year Senior Citizens Inc. (SCI) kicked off the first capital campaign in its nearly 60- year history. To date, donors have pledged more than 95% of the $3 million dollar goal. Success with this match challenge and the achievement of the capital campaign goal will enable SCI to double its impact in the Coastal Empire. 

Patti Lyons, president of SCI said, “It is our mission to help people age successfully. Older adults want to remain independent, live at home for as long as possible, and not become a burden on their loved ones.  To address this basic human desire, we have developed an efficient and effective plan for enlarging and maximizing our facilities and human assets. The expansion of our current facilities on Bull Street into The Center For Successful Aging will ensure that older adults and their families continue to have access to quality services and resources.  Our goal is to increase our capacity from the 10,000 people we serve now to 20,000 people by 2025. The achievement of our capital goal will make this possible. The Center for Successful Aging is critical for our organization and our community. We are so grateful to our donors for this matching gift that will help make the center a reality” 

Once completed, The Center For Successful Aging will include: 

–       A new state-of-the art Adult Daytime Care Center.  This facility will help with the growing population of frail adults and those with cognitive issues due to dementia such as Alzheimer’s Disease.

–        Expanded space for The Learning Center: This unique program provides active older adults with opportunities for expanding friendships and horizons through humanities-based classes, lectures, discussion groups, educational travel, and more.  

–       Renovation of the main building: The 90-year old facility will be modernized to create space for the expansion of programs and services, a second large kitchen for the growing Meals on Wheels program, and rental space for other mission-related organizations serving older adults.

According to Lyons, “This expansion will allow our historic building and campus to better function as a community resource center and hub for operations throughout the region.”

To make a donation or learn more about the match challenge and SCI’s plan for increasing services to care for the growing population of older adults, call 912-236-0363 (toll-free 866-579-2116) or visit www.seniorcitizensinc.org/give.  

ABOUT SENIOR CITIZENS, INC.

Senior Citizens Inc. (SCI) has been serving coastal Georgia since 1959.  Recognized as a national leader in providing services for older adults, SCI’s mission is to help people age successfully by providing and linking people to resources and services needed to remain at home as long as possible. SCI services include: Meals On Wheels, SAGE private services, in-home assistance including nursing services, operation of adult daytime care centers, The Learning Center, and much more. The organization serves all older adults in Chatham, Bryan, Effingham and Liberty counties regardless of income.  Its unique and innovative business model uses fee-based services and philanthropic giving to help subsidize services for less fortunate seniors.  For more information about SCI, please call 912-236-0363 or visit www.seniorcitizensinc.org.