SRNS employees recently volunteered on March 15 in the 28th annual Project VISION, benefiting partner agencies of the United Way of Aiken.
Around 115 volunteers worked at 17 different project sites around Aiken. They completed different projects, including landscaping, fence repairs, painting, woodwork, handicap modifications and more.
Project VISION was established in 1966. Its aim is to ensure facility needs of local United Way agencies are met for them to achieve their charitable missions. Volunteers are the backbone of the program.
SRNS Cyber Systems Engineer Daniel Wilson has volunteered for three years. He was the team lead this year at the Aiken County YMCA project site.
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“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, who have served Aiken since 2012 by providing outreach programs, received new paint on their pool deck and a new layer of mulch at the entrance of the building.
SRNS Principal Project Manager Blake Bowers volunteered at the Helping Hands site. Helping Hands is a nonprofit organization that acts as an emergency home for children who have been removed from home 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.”
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, Aiken Youth Development of 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.
Volunteers also built wheelchair ramps and worked on home repairs at four different community homes.
“Our employees’ volunteer efforts during Project VISION have made a real difference in our local community,” said Dennis Carr, SRNS president and chief executive officer. “Their selflessness and compassion are a shining example of the positive impact we can have when we come together.”
For more information on Project VISION, please visit www.uwaiken.org/project-vision.
