Duke Energy gives $5K grant to United Way for senior home repair

The United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties recently received a $5,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation for senior home repair.

Through the Clarendon Home Repair Program, the local United Way provides minor home repairs and builds wheelchair ramps for qualifying seniors in the county. The program, which seeks to keep homes sanitary, safe and secure, helps seniors stay in their homes and be able to afford other necessities.

"The Clarendon Home Repair Program continues to help many Clarendon County citizens because of donations received to pay for supplies needed and volunteers who help build the ramps and help with home repairs," said Vicki Singleton, president and CEO of United Way of Sumter, Clarendon and Lee counties. "Without community members and local businesses coming together, this program would not be as successful as it has been. And we still have many homeowners on our waiting list who need to be helped. We welcome more volunteers to help with the building or repairs, as well as donations to cover the cost of supplies. When a donor gives to their local United Way, the funds stay in their community to help their neighbors."

Duke Energy Government and Community Relations Manager Quinetta Buterbaugh said Duke regularly partners with local senior-focused organizations to provide energy efficiency and utility bill saving information, tackle food insecurities and make home repairs to ensure that its customers live productive lives.

"The Clarendon Home Repair Program is just one example of our commitment to caring for our senior citizens," Buterbaugh said.

Money from the grant has already been used to repair or install wheelchair ramps, including one for the Blanding family.

Marvin Blanding's brother Nathaniel is wheelchair bound and needed a new ramp outside his house.

"The ramp was a Godsend," Marvin Blanding said. "We were in need of repair for our ramp, so we contacted the United Way, and they came and did an excellent job. Now we don't have to worry about falling through the floor of the ramp when we are transporting my brother."

A local pastor, Kenneth Phelps, coordinates a crew of Clarendon volunteers who help with ramp construction on behalf of the United Way.

"The United Way gives us an opportunity to make a difference in somebody's life," Phelps said. "I couldn't get paid any more than to see the joy of a person using that wheelchair ramp that wasn't able to come down before. I get a million dollars every time I see a wonderful smile."

For more information about volunteering for the Clarendon Home Repairs program, call (803) 773-7935.

To give in support of this program, go to uwaysumter.org and click on the Give Today button on the page.