O'Neill Senior Center Renovation Project

O'NEILL SENIOR CENTER manager and GOVERNING BOARD

The O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center, located at 307 South 4th St., is in the preliminary stages of their fund-raising efforts to make some much needed updates to the center. The O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center opened its doors almost 30 years ago and has made a huge impact on our community seniors and handicapped persons; currently they are serving over 100 meals per day on average which equates to 26,000 meals annually. The O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center offers a safe and welcoming environment where residents can obtain a healthy and nutritional lunch at affordable rates. Residents of the community also receive an array of other supportive services, as the center provides several educational opportunities, health clinics and also caregiver support services.

The O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center is in the process of paving the lot to the south of the building along with repairing the sidewalks in front of the establishment and making the doors handicapped accessible. This phase alone is anticipated to cost over $40,000. Other projects the O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center is hoping to accomplish in the coming years are replacing the 30 year old heating and air units and upgrading the lighting to be energy efficient along with upgrading the range and oven which are all almost 30 years old. These upgrades are going to be costly but will have a positive affect on the activities taking place at the center. If these issues are left unattended, hundreds of residents in our areas would be adversely affected.

The Center, with the help of Central Nebraska Economic Development District and Holt County Economic Development, will be kicking off several fundraisers this summer. Starting out on June 19 and July 21, they will be serving breakfast and lunch at the rodeo grounds during the Boots and Saddle Club Horseshows. They will have coffee and rolls for breakfast and a BBQ lunch. They have also submitted an application to the Community Development Assistant Act to obtain tax credits to give to donors and are currently in the process of applying for grants to help with the costs of these endeavors.

Be looking for future articles on the fund raising efforts. If you have any questions, would like to donate or volunteer in these fundraising efforts or are an organization that would like to partner with us in some fund- raising efforts please contact O'Neill Senior Citizen's Center Manager, Pat Bakerink at 402-336- 4338.