Lighthouse Foundation Helping Seniors

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Foundation to help Treasure Coast seniors with medication bills

By Nicole Rodriguez

Monday, November 7, 2011

Last holiday season, one St. Lucie County-based charity assisted 34 senior citizens in the county with $100 each for their prescription medication costs. This year, the same foundation is extending its reach to Martin and Indian River counties to help struggling seniors in both areas have a joyous Thanksgiving.

 

On Friday, Lighthouse Foundation founder Larry Lee Jr. will hold a live fundraiser on his weekly "Pay It Forward" radio show. The show is broadcast live from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on WFLM 104.7 The Flame, on WIRA AM 1400 The Light and online at wira1400am.com. The show also marks the foundation's expansion to the entire Treasure Coast, Lee said.

"When people look at Martin and Indian River counties, they usually see affluent communities," Lee said. "But there are pockets of people in Gifford, Fellsmere, Wabasso and Indiantown who are in need."

Lee, who expressed his gratitude for the public outpouring of donations last year, is setting the bar higher on Friday. Lee hopes to garner $10,000 for seniors battling rising prescription drug costs. He hopes to award 100 seniors with $100 each. Fifty percent of the money raised will go to seniors in St. Lucie County, 25 percent to Martin and the remaining 25 percent to seniors in Indian River County, Lee said.

Seniors over 70 who pay more than $25 a month for prescription drugs will be eligible to receive $100 in cash to help with healthcare-related expenses or utility bills. Lee is urging eligible seniors to contact the radio station to enter their names in the drawing. The winners will be announced live on Lee's Nov. 18 broadcast at 10 a.m.

No senior on a fixed income should have to choose between medication or keeping their lights on, Lee said.

"If the seniors need to buy groceries or pay their utility bills with the money, they can," Lee said. "We just hope to bring some relief and joy to them this Thanksgiving season."

Lee also said there is no greater delight than helping a senior citizen around the holidays.

"It is a feeling that money can't buy," Lee said. "To hear the excitement in their voices is just priceless."