Senior home loses funding, gains local donor.

Esteban Lopez, owner of Lopez Construction, on Aug. 11 pledged to provide financial assistance to Silvercreek Memory Care and Senior Living Facility.

“We have to take care of those who take care of us,” Lopez said in a press release. “In times of need, those with the ability to help have a moral responsibility to do so.” This announcement comes just two months after it was reported that the assisted living facility would lose state funding in the next fiscal year due to budget cuts.

According to the release, Lopez plans to replenish a generous portion of the funds the facility will lose, as well as help seek further financing from other local philanthropists. “We were hopeful that the governor would veto the budget once it hit her desk, but once she signed it, we were absolutely heartbroken,” said Susan Winnfield, executive director of the facility. “We were trying to chart the way ahead and confront the very real possibility that we would have to close our doors. Then, out of nowhere, Esteban Lopez stepped in to offer a helping hand.” Winnfield said the financing will keep the facility open and will allow them to provide proper and necessary care for their current and future residents.

“It’s amazing that we are able to continue giving the highest quality care to our residents,” she said. “Our staff has grown very attached to those we care for, so I couldn’t imagine having to transfer any of our residents to a different facility or hospital. Thanks to Mr. Lopez, we won’t have to.” Wednesday’s pledge is just one of many recent investments Lopez and his company have made in Silvercreek. Lopez Construction has taken to purchasing vacant lots and has plans to restore and remodel numerous existing properties and structures. “We aim to take an active role to benefit our citizens and our community,” Lopez said at the end of the release. “This is just the beginning.”