Dave Wynne of the Sunrise Rotary Foundation presents Doug Durand, Executive Director of Benzie Senior Resources, with a $2,000 check to support the Resources' Produce Box Program.
Benzie Senior Resources is the successor to the Benzie County County on Aging. Doug Durand has been the organization's Executive Director since 2013.
The group had big plans for 2020, including a reboot of the Gathering Place featuring dinner and entertainment. All that changed with the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a new tag line: "When it Matters . . . We're Here."
At Benzie Senior Resources safety is the number one priority, and at present nothing is more important that setting up seniors for vaccination. At the same time life goes on with the delivery of 205-210 hot meals a day, five days a week. The organization's 83 volunteer drivers maintain social distancing and other CDC guidelines.
In addition to hot meals the organization has delivered boxes of fresh produce. In that regard Doug thanked Sunrise Rotary for our Foundation's contribution.
Other deliveries have included masks, hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes and Christmas bags. BSR also provides in-home services, medical monitoring and the preparation of income tax returns. A dental program has been initiated but is on hold.
Doug is looking forward to the reopening of the Gathering Place, which he believes will be sooner rather than later. Stay tuned!