Helping Seniors in Need Live in Dignity & Independence
The Senior Life Foundation's
1st Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Tournament nets $13,500 to assist low-income seniors The Senior Life Foundation’s First Annual Charity Golf Tournament, sponsored by Coggin Chevrolet at the Avenues, netted $13,500. The proceeds will be used to meet the urgent needs of Duval County seniors (60+) whose incomes are below the poverty level and who live independently. This comprises about 26 percent of Duval County’s population or 40,000 seniors.
Senior Life Foundation president Mari Terbrueggen called the donation a godsend. “Our volunteers answer calls from desperate seniors who are suddenly short on rent, need an emergency prescription, or are about to have their telephone disconnected. More heartbreaking are those who only have one working burner on their stove, a refrigerator held shut with a bungee cord, or those who are unexpectedly wheelchair bound with no handicap ramp. These are the seniors we serve, and this donation will provide immediate assistance.”
A field of 14 teams representing auto dealerships, parts suppliers, oil companies, car rental agencies and other friends of SLF teed off on September 26 at Eagle Landing Golf Club in Orange Park. The tournament was organized by Coggin service director Chuck Jones.
Thanking the players at the awards banquet, Coggin general manager Jeremy Trimble announced that Coggin Chevrolet at the Avenues will sponsor a second tournament for The Senior Life Foundation in fall 2012. Prospective teams and players are invited to contact Chuck Jones for more information.
The all-volunteer Senior Life Foundation was established in 2000 and 96 percent of every dollar is paid out in direct assistance to seniors. The mission of The Senior Life Foundation Inc. is to help meet the urgent needs of low-income seniors in Duval County with a rapid response time and to help them live independently and with dignity. For more information, call SLF’s emergency help line, 904-268-9128.
The Senior Life Foundation's purpose is to provide emergency assistance to low-income Duval County seniors in a timely manner. The Foundation is totally
voluntary with caring and compassionate individuals taking calls and trying to assist the senior in need. To
qualify for a once in a lifetime emergency aid of $250 from the Senior Life Foundation, the person requesting help must be at least 60 years old, living independently in his/her own home or apartment and having a monthly household income of no more than 1,000 a month. Should a senior who qualifies need help, call (904) 268-9128 and leave a message. Someone will answer the call promptly.
The organization has helped hundreds of seniors since its establishment in 2000 with assistance in such areas as medical needs, food, rent, phone bills, and electric bills when there is a medical need for power service, various repairs, appliances that meet the "emergency" definition, among others. The maximum amount the Foundation is able to provide is a one-time assistance of $250, which often requires the individual or another agency to supply the balance with the Senior Life Foundation giving the "last dollar in."
An example of the type of help that has been provided is the time a couple needed help with their electric bill. The life was in the final stage of her battle with cancer and was on oxygen. The husband was the sole caregiver, and he was desperate to be sure she could be comfortable in her final days and able to take her oxygen. Senior Life Foundation in partnership with another agency paid their bill, allowing her to live her final days in comfort.
In order to be able to provide this type of emergency assistance, Senior Life Foundation must constantly raise funds and secure caring volunteers who work with the seniors over the phone. If you have a passion for helping our low-income senior citizens and can contribute or volunteer, please call the Senior Life Foundation at (904) 268-9128 and leave a message. All donations are tax deductible.