(Lawrenceville, Ga., Jan. 8, 2016) – Gwinnett’s home-delivered meals program received a big boost Tuesday when commissioners accepted a donation of $70,000 raised by a non-profit support group founded by state Sen. Renee Unterman in 1999.

The volunteer-led organization, known as Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services, holds charity events and pursues grants to help meet the needs of Gwinnett’s age 60-plus senior population, which is now the second largest in Georgia. The group’s key priorities are food insecurity and access to transportation.

In 2016, Friends committed to provide up to $60,000 for the senior meals program to help reduce its wait list, up to $4,500 to cover the distribution cost of emergency meals to displaced or distressed seniors, and up to $5,500 to buy shelf-stable meals for use when weather disrupts normal home-delivered meal services.

Chairman Charlotte Nash noted, “Over the past five years, Friends has paid Gwinnett County nearly $500,000 to directly address senior needs. We are very grateful for their support.”

The group has also raised money for medical transportation, home repairs, emergency assistance, in-home foot care and holiday gift bags.

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ATLANTA (November 20, 2015) | Sen. Renee Unterman (R – Buford) was honored Thursday with the 2015 Champion of Children Award from the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA). The Foundation highlighted Sen. Unterman’s work on Senate Bill 3, also known as the Supporting and Strengthening Families Act.

“I am honored to receive the Champion of Children Award from the Foundation for Government Accountability,” said Sen. Unterman. “Being a voice for Georgia’s children is a top priority of mine, and I look forward to persistently working with my colleagues in the 2016 legislative session to generate legislation that will continue to improve the lives of children and families all over Georgia.”

“It was clear to us from the beginning that no one worked harder than Sen. Unterman on providing a safety net for the children of Georgia,” said a representative from FGA. “Her work on Senate Bill 3, The Supporting and Strengthening Families Act, will have an impact on the wellbeing of Georgia’s children for decades to come.”

Senate Bill 3 provides an alternative for parents who must temporarily waive parental rights due to circumstances such as military service or substance abuse treatment. The bill also clearly defines the form necessary for executing a written power of attorney for the care of a child.