FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Spenser Solis

Public Relations Coordinator

The Alexis Agency

(772) 231-5999 Office

(561) 309-6829 Cell

spenser@thealexisagency.net

Senior Resource Association to Renovate Center

Schumann Hall Will Meet Changing Needs of Seniors

VERO BEACH, FL, Sept. 11, 2009 - SRA is excited to announce the renovation of its Vero Beach Senior Center. The center, which is located at 694 14th St., was built in 1984 and has suffered through several hurricanes. The building has visibly deteriorated and therefore will undergo a much needed refurbishing of its assembly hall, kitchen and offices.

A portion of the funding for the new renovations comes from donations raised in early 2000 during the Odyssey Capital Campaign. The unprecedented growth throughout the last decade of Indian River County's population of seniors has further accentuated the need for a revamped center. Karen B. Rose Deigl, President and CEO of SRA, worked with the Schumann Foundation to secure the release of the funds for the remodeling.

"We are extremely thankful to the Schumann Foundation," Deigl said. "Because of their leadership, we will be able to enhance our programs."

SRA (formerly the Council on Aging) emerged in 1974 to meet the needs of Indian River County's seniors. The organization's services include Case Management, Information and Referral, Adult Day Care, Meals on Wheels and Community Coach. Since reorganizing its leadership in 2006, SRA has continued to adapt to the changing needs of local seniors.

The remodeling will allow SRA to provide health and wellness seminars, music, art and yoga classes. Overall, the look and feel of the center will provide a more inviting atmosphere, Deigl said.

"We're really taking a close look at what the needs are for active seniors," Deigl said. "What my mom and dad and grandma and grandpa did when they were seniors is different than what seniors do today."

The renovations will begin in early fall and are slated to be complete by late January 2010. The existing center will close on Sept. 25. During the remodeling, the senior center's programs will be temporarily relocated to the City of Vero Beach Recreation Department Leisure Square Fitness Center, which is located at 3705 16th St. and to St. Francis Manor, which is located at 1750 20th Ave.

The remodeled center will be renamed Schumann Hall after the Schumann Foundation, the leading donor to the project. The kitchen will be named Thea's kitchen, after Thea Walker of the Walker family. For more information about SRA and how to donate to the ongoing senior center renovations, please call Karen B. Rose Deigl at (772) 569-0111or visit http://www.seniorresourceassociation.org.

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