BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
INEZ — On Friday afternoon, Martin County Judge/Executive Lon Lafferty handed over the keys to two new Chevrolet Trax SUVs to Jennifer Crum, director of the Martin County Senior Citizens Center.
“I couldn’t be happier,” Lafferty said during the presentation. “Congratulations to you and all the staff for the tremendous work you do.”
The new vehicles, purchased from Buddy Jude at Hutch Chevrolet, will carry meals to senior citizens across Martin County. The center currently delivers meals daily to 95 seniors and has a waiting list due to limited funding.
Martin County Fiscal Court issued a request for proposals for the vehicles in August following approval for an Area Development Fund grant through the Big Sandy Area Development District.
As the presentation wrapped up, Lafferty encouraged residents aged 60 and older to visit the senior citizens center for lunch and add their names to the registry.
“That will help with their funding,” he pointed out. “In fact, I’m doing that today and inviting my good friend Ronald Workman to join me.”
The center serves lunch from 11 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday at 123 Middle Fork Road in Inez. Curbside pickup is available from 10 a.m. to noon. Seniors aged 60 and older can enjoy lunch at no cost (or an optional $2 donation). Guests under 60 can purchase lunch for $3.
In addition to its meal and nutrition program, the center provides several other services. Those include information and assistance, health, fitness and wellness programs, volunteer and civic engagement opportunities, social and recreational activities, and education and arts programs.
As a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, the center relies on tax-deductible donations to fund its services.