Children’s Place Presents SRNS with Distinguished Team Award
Friday, October 4th, 2019
Savanah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) recently received an award presented by the Executive Director of Children’s Place, Inc., Peggy Ford, acknowledging the exceptional financial support SRNS has consistently provided this non-profit organization through their annual Celebrity Waiter Night fundraisers in Aiken.
“We felt it was important to present the Distinguished Team 2019 Award to Savanah River Nuclear Solutions because their contributions were way above and beyond anything we could have hoped for,” said Ford. “To have SRNS step up the way they did, it was amazing. It was the ray of sunshine we needed to get through a very difficult year. They saved a lot of little kids.”
Volunteer “celebrity waiters” serve their friends, family and co-workers dinner during this appetizing and fun event. Funds raised are generated through corporate sponsorships, tips from diners and the purchase of raffle tickets for donated items.
Celebrity Waiter Night has been held for 25 years at participating restaurants to raise funds to support the Children’s Place therapeutic childcare program. This is the only therapeutic childcare program in the area, and one of only two of its kind in South Carolina. Serving children ages 18 months to 5 years, this program focuses on enhancing social, emotional, behavioral and cognitive development within an early childcare and educational setting. Support therapies include speech, occupational, physical and play therapy.
“The positive impact they have had over the years in meeting each child’s unique needs is inspiring. We are pleased to help them make a remarkable difference in the lives of these children,” said Stuart MacVean, SRNS President & CEO.
A United Way of Aiken County agency, the mission of Children’s Place is to protect, heal and strengthen children and families from the impact of trauma through education, treatment and prevention services. Children’s Place serves children and families from Aiken and other South Carolina counties.
“There is a direct connection between the money raised during Celebrity Waiter Night and the number of children and families we can help,” said Ford. Celebrity Waiter Night has grown from a fundraiser that generated $3,000 at two restaurants during its first year to a multi-restaurant event that generated $107,000.
Other programs at Children’s Place include Community-Based Prevention Services, Strengthening Families Program and Beds for Babies.