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There will be five groups benefiting from the annual Meridian Waste donation this year in Lunenburg County. Every year, the company, which is the parent operator of the Lunenburg landfill, gives $50,000 to be used for public safety and public health. It’s up to the county board of supervisors to decide what happens with that money. 

They in turn assign the Lunenburg County finance committee to review requests each year and make a recommendation as to how the money should be spent. During the board’s Thursday, March 13 meeting, the finance committee and Lunenburg County Administrator Tracy Gee outlined what those recommendations would be for the coming budget. 

That Meridian donation includes $10,000 going to the Kenbridge Recreation Center for air conditioning and HVAC upgrades on their system. Also, $10,000 would go to the Victoria Community Center, as part of the recommendation. This would help the Community Center cover the cost of skates, which need to be replaced. And Gee pointed out this is a way to support the efforts of offering something for the children of the community. 

Another $10,000 would go to the senior citizen center in Victoria, which had reached out recently, asking fo help to buy new chairs. 

“(The old chairs) had a lot of damage to them,” Gee said. “They need something a little more sturdy. Also, a bit wider for those who have canes and wheelchairs.” 

As part of the proposal, $10,000 would be allocated to the Community Resource Services food pantry, and $10,000 would go to Lunenburg Health Service. 

“Deborah Craven is the health nurse for Lunenburg County and she goes around at no charge and provides medical service,” Gee said. “They also have walkers, bathroom equipment and other things for our seniors.” 

By a unanimous vote, supervisors agreed to accept the finance committee’s recommendation and will allocate those funds to the five requested groups. 

Editor’s note: Emilio Salgado-Garcia wrote this story for the Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch.