Over 300 people gathered September 23rd to celebrate the work Seniors’ Resource Center (SRC) at its 8th annual Gift of Independence (GOI) breakfast. At 7:30 am the hall was full of those who would make this the most successful fundraising effort to date.
“It was an outpouring of community support for our seniors,” said John Zabawa, President and CEO of Seniors’ Resource Center. The breakfast not only drew a record number of attendees but set a new benchmark in fundraising, SRC saw a 44% growth of giving over 2015.
SRC’s signature event also attracted local legislators who support senior issues, “This event is important and I believe the group that showed up this morning did a great service to those who SRC helps everyday,” said Adam Paul, Mayor of Lakewood. “They have a visible impact on our growing senior population and I believe it’s in our best interest as a community to come together to support them.”
The consequences of this growth in our older population are being felt at the SRC which is experiencing growing demand for its services every year. In fact, SRC served 21.8% more clients in 2015 over 2014. Transportation, care management, in-home care and adult day & respite service (ADRS) served 24,500 seniors in 10 counties during 2015.
“Recent concerns over our community’s ability to serve the growing senior population,” says Ben Wiederholt, Director of Ambulatory Operations at St. Anthony Hospital. “this is what brought so many community partners and leaders together for this event.”
The GOI was presented by Lutheran Medical Center, and the money raised will go directly into programs that have made it possible to serve seniors in ten Metro Denver counties. SRC services saved taxpayers an estimated $45 million as compared to nursing home placements in 2015.