Virginia legislators in the Senate and House of Delegates recently honored Piedmont Senior Resources (PSR) Area Agency on Aging for its work in advocating, advancing and achieving independence for the aging community in the Heart of Virginia.

The honor came in the form of a Senate Joint Resolution co-sponsored by Sen. Mark Peake, a loyal support of PSR and Del. James Edmunds, another agency supporter. The result was a joint resolution by both houses of the legislature.

“We’re supremely proud and humbled by this resolution honoring and commending our agency,” said PSR Executive Director Justine A. Young. “We’re thankful for this honor and very thankful for the effort of Sen. Peake, Del. Edmunds, and all other legislators in Richmond who share our agency and staff’s steadfast commitment to helping seniors age gracefully, advocating for their independence and well-being.”

Before the resolution was adopted, the Senate of Virginia recognized and welcomed to the Capitol Director of Nutrition and Transportation Thomas Jordan Miles III, who was lobbying with the Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging and PSR.

The resolution highlights the work that PSR has performed in the seven-county area of Amelia, Buckingham, Charlotte, Cumberland, Lunenburg, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties for more than 40 years. Full text of the resolution is below:

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 428

Offered Feb. 15, 2019

Commending Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc.

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Patrons– Peake; Delegate: Edmunds

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WHEREAS, for over 40 years, the Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc., has played a vital role in helping local residents age with dignity by providing education, advocacy, and support; and

WHEREAS, the goal of Piedmont Senior Resources is to promote the maximum level of independence for persons 60 years of age and older, and to ensure that older residents of Buckingham, Cumberland, Amelia, Nottoway, Lunenburg, Charlotte, and Prince Edward counties live as an integral part of society, with access to programs and services that meet their needs and preferences; and

WHEREAS, to that end, Piedmont Senior Resources offers numerous programs, including a post-hospitalization program to decrease readmissions and a medical transportation program; major growth and expansion in recent years includes budget growth of over a half a million dollars and the No Wrong Door community expansion, with nutrition delivery growth up from 20,000 meals annually to 100,000 annually over the last four years; and

WHEREAS, key volunteers play a crucial role in supporting the Piedmont Senior Resources, namely Navona Hart of Real Living Cornerstone, Sidney Allen of Rochette’s Florist, and Nash Osborn and Matt Hurley of The Fishin’ Pig; other key volunteers include the volunteer advisory council; the board members; and students at Longwood University, Hampden-Sydney College, and Southside Virginia Community College; and

WHEREAS, Piedmont Senior Resources has been recognized with awards and grants by local, state, and national organizations including a Workplace Development Award, a No Wrong Door Award from the Department of Aging and Rehabilitation, and grants from Meals on Wheels of America, Subaru, the Centra Foundation, the Department of Rails and Transportation, Dominion Power, the Walter Payne Foundation, Norfolk and Southern Railroad, and Hampden-Sydney College; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc., for playing a vital role in helping local residents age with dignity by providing education, advocacy, and support for over 40 years; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Piedmont Senior Resources Area Agency on Aging, Inc., as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for its efforts to foster independence and healthy aging, and improve the quality of life for older adults, their families, and their caregivers through comprehensive programs and services.