Citrus County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) officially passed the keys of the Inverness Community Center on N. Paul Drive, Inverness to the Citrus County Veterans Coalition on Tuesday, February 11, 2020.

BOCC Passes the Keys to Citrus County Veterans Coalition

The public joined BOCC Chairman Brian Coleman and Commissioner Jimmie T. Smith along with Veterans Coalition Chairman Richard Floyd and Vice-Chairman Mike O’Brien to recognize the transition of the property. Many of the attendees were veterans, including the two commissioners. Victoria White attended representing U.S. Congressman Daniel Webster.

Citrus County Support Services Director Joanne Granger and her staff worked for over six months with local organizations, the Historical Society, and leaders of the Veterans Coalition to make this unique transition of property happen. “This is a win-win situation,” said Joanne. “It provides veterans with much needed additional space for their services and gave us the opportunity for a new space for our senior programs.” Support Services will be cutting the ribbon for the Hernando Area Senior Program located in the Historic Hernando School on Tuesday, March 3 at 10 am. The public is invited to attend.

The veterans will be using the Paul Drive property for storage of donations and a food bank for veterans in Citrus County. “We feed over 110 veterans and family members each Tuesday and Thursday,” said Veterans Coalition Vice-President Mike O’Brien. “We will use this additional building for wheelchairs, scooters and other adaptive equipment that the community generously donates along with giving us space for additional freezers and refrigerators. The veterans’ organization owns additional property adjacent to the community center building.

Many of the attendees stayed for a tour of the multiple buildings and met with volunteers and veterans that utilize the services of the Veterans Coalition. Food Pantry Director Trish Hendry said, “We work with other organizations in the county, the Food Bank, the school district, and churches to help each other provide for the hungry.”