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A VISION to Help a Mission

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Tuesday, March 26th, 2024

On March 15, SRNS employees lent a helping hand to the local community during the 28th annual Project VISION (Volunteers in Service in Our Neighborhoods), benefitting partner agencies of the United Way of Aiken.

One hundred and fifty volunteers dispersed across 17 different projects sites in the Aiken area. They helped with the facility upkeep of local agencies, as well as home repairs for low-income homeowners and senior citizens. This year’s projects included landscaping, fence repairs, painting, woodwork, handicap modifications and more.

Established in 1966, Project VISION aims to ensure the facility needs of local United Way agencies are met for them to successfully achieve their charitable missions. Volunteers are the heart of the program, donating their time, talents and skills to support various project request from the community.

SRNS Cyber Systems Engineer Daniel Wilson has volunteered with the program for three years and was a team lead at the Aiken County YMCA project site.

“Project VISION continues to be a long tradition of SRS employees giving back to the local community,” said Wilson. “There are many in need throughout the Aiken area, and it’s important that we continue this act of giving back by providing support to the local United Way agencies.”

The Aiken County Family YMCA received a fresh coat of paint on their pool deck, as well as a new layer of mulch around the entrance of the facility. The organization has served Aiken since 2012, providing programs that support healthy living, youth development and community outreach.

SRNS Employees Daniel Wilson and Matthew Saul apply a fresh coat of paint to the pool deck at the Aiken County Family YMCA.

SRNS Principal Project Manager Blake Bowers volunteered at the Helping Hands project site, a nonprofit organization that serves as an emergency home for children who have been removed from their homes due to abuse, abandonment and/or neglect.

“This year, our team accomplished several projects around the Helping Hands campus, including installing a fence, building benches for the basketball court and landscape work around the facility,” said Bowers. “It’s rewarding to know that these improvements will help the children staying here feel more at home.”

The 13 partner agencies that received assistance this year included:

  • Helping Hands of Aiken

  • Area Churches Together Serving of Aiken

  • Child Advocacy Center of Aiken County

  • Mental Health America Aiken Nurture Home

  • Girl Scouts of South Carolina Mountain to Midlands

  • Tri-Development Center of Aiken County (multiple locations)

  • Aiken Youth Development Center/Aiken Boxing Club

  • The Salvation Army of Aiken Homeless Shelter

  • Golden Harvest Food Bank

  • Aiken County Family YMCA

  • The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of Aiken

    In addition, volunteers gathered at four different community homes to build wheelchair ramps and work on home repairs.

    “Our employees’ volunteer efforts during Project VISION have made a real difference in our local community. Their selflessness and compassion are a shining example of the positive impact we can have when we come together,” said SRNS President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Carr.

    For more information on United Way’s Project Vision or to volunteer, visit https://www.uwaiken.org/project-vision.