FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 17, 2021
MEDIA CONTACT:
Joe Meyers, AARP South Carolina, jmeyers@aarp.org, 803-626-2108
CEDRIC LIQUEUR, Town of Summerton, cliqueur@gmx,com, 803-485-2525 Ex. 1
AARP Community Challenge Grantee – the Town of Summerton
The grant will be used to build and run our “Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic.”
Summerton, SC— The Town of Summerton is thrilled to announce we have been selected to receive a 2021 AARP Community Challenge grant. We are one of only 233 grantees selected from across all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
With this “quick action” grant, students will design, build, and staff a mobile clinic that will bring healthcare to residents’ doors. The Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic will be led by a Nurse Practitioner and a rotation of student nurses from Midlands Technical College, Central Carolina Technical College, and U of SC College of Nursing have been invited to staff the self-contained clinic.
“We are incredibly excited to support the Town of Summerton as they work to bring improved access to health services for the town’s residents. The Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic is a promising idea we hope will jumpstart long-term change,” shared Teresa Arnold, AARP South Carolina State Director. “Our goal at AARP South Carolina is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to live, work, retire and enjoy their lives.”
These partners will provide primary healthcare services to Clarendon County residents who have limited or no access to medical services, which will help improve the overall health and wellness of the people of Summerton. With a population of just under 1,000 residents, the Cross My Heart Free Mobile Clinic will offer much needed access to a wide variety of health services, which also will be a very effective way to help reach patients who forgo preventative care because they can’t afford it.
“The Town of Summerton is extremely proud that AARP selected us to receive this grant,” stated Cedric Liqueur, Development Director for the Town of Summerton. “AARP is a nationwide leader on making neighborhoods, towns, and cities more livable for all residents and we are honored that they see the tangible value this project will bring to our community.”
About the Community Challenge
The Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as transportation, public spaces, housing, diversity and inclusion, civic engagement, coronavirus recovery and more.
It’s all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and counties across the country to become great places for all residents. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.
To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation – including all 244 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.
About The Town of Summerton
Summerton is ideally located in South Carolina in the heart of Santee Cooper Country, eight miles from the shores of beautiful Lake Marion and conveniently located one hour from Columbia, Charleston, and Florence. A strong reliance on farming, small business and the rustic beauty of the SC Low Country has allowed Summerton to retain the feel of a well-knit small town while getting in on the growth pattern of the lake area.
The folks of Summerton – the ones who were born here and the ones who’ve moved in, know they have a good thing going. Enjoying life is a universal goal, and they know it’s simply easier to do in Summerton.
Summerton – Where Life Is Easier!
About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org or follow @AARP and @AARPadvocates on social media.
