By BRENDA BURNS
NEWPORT — The renovations at the Newport Senior Center are moving right along.
The 24-foot concrete elevator shaft is now visible from the main hall. The made-to-order elevator will be located inside this shaft.
The framing for the walls in the lower level are 95 percent complete. Insulation has been added to the kitchen ceiling and is now complete, which will help with heating cost next winter. The electrician was scheduled be on-site this week to start installing the electrical wires.
As construction moves forward, we continue to work towards raising enough funds to cover the cost of the project and the unanticipated cost. Our unanticipated cost is at $80,000 at this time.
An indoor walking path will be a great addition to our facility at the new lower level. It will take 276 tiles to create our 200-foot indoor walking path. With $80,000 remaining to be raised now, due to the increases, we are in critical need of sponsorship for the walking path and the remainder of the project.
If you would like to be part of providing a healthy environment for mature adults for years to come, consider sponsoring a “Walking Tile,” Sponsorship is available for $25 per tile. All sponsors will be acknowledged on a plaque that will hang proudly along the walking path. We have 210 tiles waiting for your sponsorship.
Many volunteers were at the Newport Rotary Penny Sale Saturday evening to help raise funds to help with this unforeseen circumstance. Thank you to all those who donated baked goods for this event.
The next fundraiser will be June 16 when we cook up a storm on the Newport Common to participate in the Newport Chamber Day. Save the date, June 24, for our All-U-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet from 8-10 a.m.
The buffet will have 10-plus items cooked and ready for your enjoyment. Volunteers will be needed for both of these events.
The Board of Director’s has inquired about support from the Malool Foundation. Our project will be considered if we can find enough volunteers to assist them with their veggie/hot dog stand and ice cream shop.
Volunteers will be needed June through September in three and four-hour intervals. Money raised from these two venues will be donated to the Newport Community Center Project.
Support for our renovation project will be dependent upon the number of volunteers we can provide to them. Anyone interested in overseeing students for this endeavor, please contact a board member.
We know this challenge will be difficult because it is hard to find volunteers, but we also know we are not unique to this problem. After sitting in several non-profit workshops, we know that finding volunteers is not easy. If you can spare a few hours, one day per week, we would greatly appreciate your time.
We know that there are a lot of residents who approved the recent warrant article to support the Community Center Project. If you were a supporter for moving forward with the project, consider taking another step to help support the Community Center Project that will help the Newport Senior Center as well and volunteer three or four hours per week. This is a great 2 for 1 deal.
We received a $5,000 donation, $2,500 this year and $2,500 next year, from Bar Harbor Bank & Trust this week for our renovation project. Much gratitude to the staff of Bar Harbor who believe in our mission. We hope we are able to raise this much money and more with the Games of Chance at Pleasant Street Gaming.
The following dates are dedicated to the Newport Senior Center, May 24, 29, and 31. June 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 19.
A belated Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mother’s out there.
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