TVS gets a new van

Earlier this year, Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) received a grant from the Audrey Love Charitable Foundation. The generous donation allowed for TVS to purchase a new van to transport day program participants and Direct Support Providers (DSP) to community service events and volunteer activities.

The needs of TVS Life Skills program participants require special vehicles that can accommodate anyone. Ilderton Conversion Company helped in pricing and in customization. Ilderton specializes in vehicles that can serve individual purposes.

“We had been looking at purchasing a new vehicle for two years,” TVS Safety and Security Manager Jackie Compton said. “We were down to only one that had a wheelchair lift. We just did not the available funds at the time.”

The TVS Life Skills program provides enrichment opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are aging, retired, or have complex needs. Helping them stay engaged in the community often requires vehicles with special accommodations.

The Audrey Love Foundation has made generous donations in the past allowing TVS to continue to serve the mission of helping adults with disabilities thrive through work and social engagement.

“Audrey Love would have been happy to help your worthy cause,” was written on the donation.

The Audrey Love Charitable Foundation was created by philanthropist Audrey Love, in support of her passion for the arts and philanthropy.

Love died in 2003 at 100 years old. She participated in the building of the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Performing Arts Center in Miami.

She also had served on the Board of Directors of the New York Infirmary Hospital and as a member of the Committee for Deaf and Dumb Children in New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital. On the committee, she also assisted in raising money for the creation of its new wing.

Continuing her contributions, Love was also on the board of A.S.P.C.A. where she was awarded the Humanitarian Award.

About TVS TVS is a social enterprise contract manufacturer specializing in the blending and packaging of dry food and beverage products. Founded in 1967, their mission is to provide quality employment, job training and residential & community services to individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment. For more information go to www.tvsinc.org

Written by Jenifer Welch