(Chelsea Update would like to thank Lisa French for the information in this story.)
The United Methodist Retirement Communities (UMRC) Foundation recently announced it received a $15,000 grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation (CCF), an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. This grant to the UMRC Foundation will help provide general operating support for this senior living organization with headquarters in Chelsea.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CCF provided 11 grants totaling $140,000 to local nonprofits, according to senior program officer, Surabhi Pandit.
“The CCF Board wanted to proactively address the needs in the community and voted swiftly to make these grants to support vital nonprofit organizations in the Chelsea community,” Pandit said in a press release.
“This was such a blessing and a wonderful surprise. We are grateful to receive this gift from the Chelsea Community Foundation to support the healthcare needs of older adults and the brave service of our direct care teammates,” says Wendy Brightman, president of the UMRC Foundation and Porter Hills Foundation.
“Their calling leads them toward the danger of this virus in order to provide outstanding care for older adults. They have children who are out of school, spouses who are laid off, older parents who rely on them. Yet, they put aside these burdens to provide love and care for the older adults at UMRC,” she said.
UMRC has acted swiftly to launch several initiatives to assist its frontline team members, including supplemental sick leave and pay, food pantries, babysitting services, and more, says Brightman. “This generous grant from the Chelsea Community Foundation provides welcome assistance for these efforts in support of UMRC’s frontline Healthcare Heroes.”
