SRNS Employees Volunteer for Project VISION Community Efforts Benefitting United Way of Aiken County
Monday, April 5th, 2021
For 25 years, Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) employees have donated personal time to give back to their communities by volunteering for Project VISION, a Department of Energy sponsored charitable event benefitting the United Way of Aiken County. Project VISION is part of the annual Day of Caring.
COVID-19 and the weather presented new challenges but did not deter nearly 100 SRNS employees from participating in 10 different projects on March 26.
Speaking about volunteer efforts that day, SRNS Project VISION Coordinator Joey Smiley said, “Our community needs us now more than ever, and employees at Savannah River Site have answered that call. I am humbled every year on this day to see the selfless giving spirit of so many individuals, even during these uncertain times that our great nation faces. These individuals understand that the smallest acts of kindness are worth more than the grandest intentions.”
The seven United Way of Aiken County partner agencies that received assistance this year included: Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army Shelter, Community Medical Clinic of Aiken County, Mental Health America of Aiken County’s Nurture Home, Child Advocacy Center of Aiken, Helping Hands, and Golden for SRNS employees to be able to give back,” said Brill. “We are truly blessed in life to be able to fulfill this need, and we look forward to future volunteer opportunities.”
Harvest Food Bank.
At Golden Harvest Food Bank, volunteers pack- aged 360 food boxes
for the Senior Food Box Program, which provides supplemental food each month to at-risk seniors living on a fixed income. SRNS Operational Excellence employee Doug Brill served as proj- ect lead. “It’s an honor
SRNS employees (l-r) Dean Drake, William “Wim” Lewis, Doug Brill, Bobby James, Michael McCombs, Magen Garlick, and Brenda James prepared food boxes at Golden Harvest Food Bank.
Other team projects included: wheelchair ramp construction and repair; pressure washing building exteriors and sidewalks; painting furniture; repairing steps; removing trash; and replac- ing doors.
“The 25th annual Project VISION Day of Caring was the best ever,” said United Way of Aiken County President Sharon Rodgers. “Despite COVID-19 protocols and the weather, the men and women of SRNS once again showed their care and compassion for this community! Masks may have covered faces, but smiling eyes relayed the joy these volunteers had in helping others. United Way and our partner agencies are extremely grateful to the many volunteers who provided their time and talents to make the day so impactful. Thank you SRNS for your continued support and leadership in our com- munity. You make our world safer and bless our community with your presence.”
SRNS employee Caroline Reppert gives a fresh coat of paint to the Child Advocacy Center of Aiken.
Established in 1996, Project VISION helps United Way of Aiken County partner agencies with facility maintenance. Many of these agencies operate on limited budgets, and the challenge of contending with day-to-day costs was more difficult this past year due to economic hardship caused by COVID-19.
By 1999, Project VISION had gathered so much support from Savannah River Site employees that volunteers outnumbered the agencies needing assistance. As a result, the program expanded to include basic home repairs, which significantly improved the living conditions of those most in need.
