Several residents from the Wynchase community received donations from the Sentry SMILES charitable program after being displaced from their homes due to several of the buildings being condemned by the City of Ocala because of the sinkholes that developed on the property earlier this year.

The Sentry SMILES program is funded by the company and its employees who opt to donate portions of their paychecks to give back to community members in need. The way it works, Association Boards inform their community manager when there is a specific need due to a tragic event like fire, flood or other personal hardships.

Several sinkholes developed in various parts of the community, including a large one near a retention pond, that ended up draining the entire pond. Another opened up near the entrance of the community, blocking residents from coming in and out.

Several townhomes within the Wynchase townhome community were condemned, leaving 15 residents temporarily displaced from their homes. Local Division Manager, Wendy Thrower acted fast and nominated these individuals to receive a monetary donation from the Sentry SMILES program.

“I believe it is so important to help out and be supportive of the people in the communities that we serve in their time of need, and that is the great thing about the Sentry’s approach to giving. It allows the company, and Sentry employees to give back to these residents that we know and work with,” Wendy Thrower, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Ocala Division Manager said.

Sinkholes are very common in the state of Florida, and Ocala is located in a part of the state that is especially prone to forming sinkholes. Heavy rains and subsurface limestone rock that can dissolve, is common in the area and cause the problem.

Residents are expected to be able to return to their homes soon, with repairs planned to be completed by the end of August.

Sentry Management is a full-service community management company. Sentry’s business is the day-to-day operation of communities, homeowner associations, and condominiums. Sentry is accredited as an AMO® (Accredited Management Organization) by the Institute of Real Estate Management, providing an independent evaluation that Sentry has one of the highest operating and financial standards in the industry. View our full list of services here: http://www.sentrymgt.com/for-association-boards/services/.