By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY – Pat Baker receives respite care five days a week at Trinity Living Center, formerly Abundant Living Adult Day Services.
The service helps Baker’s daughter, Sarah Thompson, continue to work knowing someone is looking out for her mother during the day.
Funds from the Rowan County United Way offset a portion of the cost to provide services. The United Way is in the middle of its campaign, which began in September.
The community has contributed more than $1.6 million to the campaign so far. The Rowan County United Way has reached 94 percent of its $1.78 million campaign goal.
“It helps us keep the doors open,” said Barbara Garwood, the center’s executive director.
It costs the agency closer to $60 a day to provide care, but with money from the community through the United Way, it costs $33.07.
The money given helps with the day’s services, including food and a certified nursing assistant.
Those who receive services spend their day doing arts and crafts, exercise and outings including meals at local restaurants. While at the center clients can get their hair done on site by a local beautician and men can receive a shave while there. The center also provides baths for clients, making it “one less thing they have to do,” Garwood said.
“There are challenges. We try to keep the private pay rate reasonable,” she said.
Some of the people who receive care from the agency are there so their regular caregivers can take a break or work.
“It eliminates a choice for the families. They may have to send the family member to a nursing home prematurely,” Garwood said.
A big part of the operational budget, Garwood said, is staffing.
If there were no money, “we would probably have to cut services,” she said.
The agency does receive some funds through grants.
Garwood said it’s a pleasure to be entrusted with the care of someone’s family member.
“It’s our blessing to be here,” she said.
Lutheran Services for the Aging, the founding organization of the agency, recently united with Lutheran Family Services, forming a collective ministry – Lutheran Services Carolinas.
This year’s United Way campaign theme is Life is Worth Giving.
The totals so far are:
• Presidents – $474,781.93 or 122.05 percent
• Chairmans – $275,415 or 68 percent
• Industrial 1 – $41,770.76 or 86.71 percent
• Industrial 2 – $59,341.82 or 123.63 percent
• Commercial 1 – $50,010.24 or 61.11 percent
• Commercial 2 – $91,323.68 or 96.13 percent
• Commercial 3 – $69,691.30 or 112.41 percent
• Public Employees – $131,017.22 or 84.53 percent
• Education – $182,199.04 or 93.51 percent
• Community Business – $5,444 or 108.88 percent
• Special Gifts – $143,457or 98.94 percent
• Professionals – $90,887.11 or 82.96 percent• Miscellaneous – $70,185.29 or 148.25 percent
Four Salisbury automotive dealers – Ben Mynatt Nissan, Team Chevrolet, Gerry Wood Auto Group and Cloninger Ford/Toyota – are also teaming up to award a new car to a United Way contributor.
Organizers drew three names this week of people who will be in the running to win a car. The names are Linda Coplin with the Family Crisis Council, Anne McCutchan of Akzo Nobel and Jeremy Lomax of Freightliner. During the finale, the winner of the car giveaway will be chosen.
The finale will be held Nov. 28 from 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. at Carson High School, 290 Kress Venture Drive, China Grove.
It’s not too late to make a contribution to the campaign. Make checks payable to the Rowan County United Way. Donations can be mailed to Rowan County United Way 1930 Jake Alexander Boulevard West Suite B, Salisbury, N.C. 28147-1186.
For more information about Trinity Living Center, contact 704-637-3940 or visit www.lsanc.net.