Lt. Governor honored to help OC Veterans

The Oconee County Veterans Council Relief Fund received a grant for $17,000 Thursday morning from South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Kevin Bryant, who was honored to help veterans that have fallen on hard times. “These aren’t my funds, these are taxpayer funds and there is no better way to show our appreciation on behalf of the taxpayers of this sate to do what we can do to help our seniors and our seniors are the veterans. I would like to say we need to extend even more efforts to help them remain independent. The freedoms that we enjoy, we would not have this free society if it wasn’t for our active duty military, those in uniform and our veterans. I can’t think of a better way to extend our gratitude than to help seniors that are getting on up in age, seniors that are veterans to help them remain independent as long as possible.” Oconee County native, Darryl Broome, State Director for the South Carolina Office on Aging was instrumental in securing the funds. “One of our major goals is to do all we can to help seniors stay at home as long as possible. So, what this money can be used for are veterans, most will be seniors, some may not, we did not put that stipulation on these funds, but it will help just those little services that may be can just keep them at home a little bit longer. It may be a minor home repair, making a bathroom handicap accessible, a ramp, or maybe even helping with a utility situation. It is not a lot, but anything we can do to help those individuals who deserve it so much. So, we are proud to be here.” State Senator Thomas Alexander was also a major contributor to the grant donation. “Well, I certainly support our veterans. We appreciate their service to our country for us to enjoy the freedoms that we all share so greatly today. I think a couple of days before Veterans Day, I don’t know of a better time for us to be further helping our veterans on their desire to stay in their homes or need a little additional help. I appreciate Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant, who was made aware of the opportunity here and the Veterans Council that does a tremendous amount of work with our veterans through the Office on Aging that Mr. Broome heads up. So, I was glad they came to help the future of this organization meets those needs of our veterans right here at home.” The check presentation took place at the American Legion Post in Walhalla.