Special to the Herald

SPRINGFIELD – The Effingham County Senior Citizens Center recently received a ringing endorsement. The show of wholehearted approval came in the form of a major anonymous donation from one of its members.

“It was about two weeks ago,” Director Theresa Johnson said. “She came to me and asked if we accepted contributions. I said, ‘Sure. Yes, ma’am.’ It doesn’t matter – big or small.

"We are appreciative of every donation.”

Johnson didn’t anticipate the size of the gift that the member had in mind.

“She said, ‘I love coming here’,” Johnson recalled. “She said, ‘I just want you to know that I love what you are doing here as a director. I love your leadership and I love all the activities that you and your staff are implementing in the center.

“I want to do something special for you.”

The special something was a $25,000 check presentation.

“I started getting nervous,” Johnson said, her voice rising. “I couldn’t focus. I couldn’t work the rest of the day.”

Johnson double checked with the anonymous donor to ensure that she hadn’t made an error.

“She said, ‘That’s no mistake. I meant to give you $25,000’,” Johnson said.

Johnson was deeply touched by the gesture.

“I was so moved by the generosity and affirmation of what goes on here,” the director said.

The donor gave Johnson free reign to use the money however she sees fit to make center members happy. There is no shortage of suggestions.

“We haven’t decided yet,” Johnson said. “We’re going to keep that money separate (from the general fund).”