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comments about this story Posted: September 27, 2007
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Senior Safety Crimestoppers happy at Arbors By George Schwarz Seniors at The Arbors can feel safer and freer from possible criminals, thanks to a $1 million gift from Happy State Bank.
The award from the bank came Wednesday in a low-key ceremony in the facility's dining room, with about 60 elderly residents in attendance. Kay Joest, director of Senior Crimestoppers, thanked Happy for its contribution and said the sole purpose of Senior Crimestoppers is to provide senior citizens with a safe environment throughout the country. This is the first such grant in this area, and the money will provide lock boxes, a video series called “The Time of Your Life" and money for the prevention program, she said. “It's done strictly to make the residents smile," she said. Earlier, Cheryl Tweet, the activities director for The Arbors, said the program was much like Neighborhood Watch and tries to send a serious message. "It's to let people know there's zero tolerance for crime," she said. In facilities in which the Senior Crimestoppers Program exists, crime has been reduced by 90 percent, she added. "We were lucky
to be picked," said Robert Smith, administrator of
The Arbors. Charles King, a former Memphis, Tenn., banker, wanted to help the nursing home industry repair its image. He also wanted those facilities to have a safe, crime-free environment for residents and staff. The program helps banks meet their obligations under federal law, which requires a community reinvestment. That's why Kerry Adair, president of Happy's Amarillo market, explained that, while Senior Crimestoppers was part of the bank's charter, the bank also wanted to help. "We care about our community," he said. “We care about you." E-mail
comments about this story Posted: September 13, 2007 |
