Aisin drives senior effort

CROTHERSVILLE - Tuesday wasn't the first time for Aisin Drivetrain Inc. in Crothersville to help with the Day of Caring. It's something the company has been doing for about 12 years.

This year, volunteers painted the outside of the Crothersville Senior Citizens Center, which is something they've done before.
"Aisin Drivetrain is part of the Crothersville community, so it's nice to give back and assist in community involvement as much as we can," said Larry Summa of ADI.

The group began painting early Tuesday morning, ate lunch with the senior citizens around noon and then got right back to work.
Summa said ADI also helped with projects at the Crothersville Library during past Day of Caring events.

Jimmy Shirley, a resident of Crothersville and an employee of ADI, said helping his own community makes a difference.

"I've got a lot of family members who come to the senior citizens building," he said. "It makes you feel pretty good giving back and spending the day and cleaning and painting and whatever they need. It's giving them somewhere they can be proud of."

Shirley said every day should be a day of caring.

"I think a lot of people should take more than just one day to come out and have a day of caring," he said. "It's good for all communities."

Senior Center director Sue Walther said ADI has helped on occasion, even when it wasn't on the Day of Caring.

"A couple months ago a light went out," Walther said, and the whole unit needed to be replaced. "I called Aisin and they said they would have one of the guys call and give advice. The next thing I know, they were up here fixing it for us. They are a good group of guys and gals."

With the Senior Center being a nonprofit, Walther said if someone like Aisin didn't help, they would have to do a fundraiser to get certain projects done. Walther said she is thankful for Aisin reaching out to the community.

"Hiring somebody to paint the outside of the building, it would cost a fortune," she said. "To have this done is just invaluable. Aisin is very good to the Crothersville Senior Center."