By Jennifer Whittle, Special to Independent Newsmedia

Peoria resident Marie Szolwinski did not have a fully-functioning kitchen for several months, a sink that repeatedly plugged up for years and leaking pipes that eventually caused holes in the nearby living room floor due water damage.

The Sunny Plumber, in partnership with the Foundation for Senior Living, has donated new gas and electric water heaters as well as copper re-piping and plumbing services to five Valley residents including Ms. Szolwinski from $100,000 in grants donated by the plumbing company to support local senior home improvements.

Foundation for Senior Living supports qualifying seniors whose homes need repairs and renovations. The non-profit organization manages the full cycle of repair to include funding, contracting and permitting. These improvements enable seniors to continue to live safely and comfortably, with dignity in their homes.

“As we experience our own parents aging, we became more aware of the need many seniors have with severe plumbing and heating and cooling problems in their homes,” said Gary Eisenhauer, general manager at The Sunny Plumber. “We are grateful there are organizations like FSL who will manage donations and repairs for seniors who are living in deteriorating environments.”

Katie Martin, program director for the Foundation, said the donation by The Sunny Plumber enables the non-profit organization to provide essential services to seniors throughout metro Phoenix.

“Most of our clients are on limited fixed incomes and when they have serious plumbing issues, it can cause them not to have water in their home without the resources to repair them. Often, they end up living in unsafe conditions and it can take three to five months for them to go through the funding process. These funds will allow us to respond immediately to these situations and use our other funding for less immediate needs,” she said.

Editor’s note: Ms. Whittle is the associate director of public relations for Lavidge.