Preserving Sandpoint’s living history
For Sandpoint resident Norma White, preserving history extends far beyond artifacts and architecture. “We put money into (preserving) historical buildings,” said White. “But what about our living history?”
White is the manager of the Sandpoint Senior Center, a place dedicated to this area’s living history – seniors. A nonprofit organization, the center has more than 300 registered clients, 100 of whom receive home delivery of meals through the Meals on Wheels program. Other services offered by the Senior Center include hearing tests, blood-pressure screenings, assistance with tax preparation, and meals served Monday through Friday at the center.
The center operates under the Older Americans Act. Enacted at the same time as Medicare, the Older Americans Act was created because of the growing number of elderly in the country and their growing needs. The act provides for programs that focus on improving seniors’ lives in areas such as housing, health, employment, retirement and community services.
A year ago, the center began renovating its property at 820 Main St. in Sandpoint. So far the center has raised $220,000 for the renovation, just $50,000 shy of its goal. A grant from the Department of Commerce contributed $150,000 with the other $70,000 coming from fund-raisers put on by the Senior Center as well as organizations, businesses and individuals in Bonner County.
Community Assistance League, a group which does much to benefit various groups in Sandpoint, recently held a fund raiser and donated all of the proceeds to the Senior Center project.
“Most of our projects go towards children,” said League President Tracy Gibson. “So we really wanted to do something that benefited seniors,”
The group spent two days making more than 1,500 enchiladas that were delivered to people who had ordered them. The project raised $2,000 for the center.
Other donors include Coldwater Creek, which gave $20,000, the Rotary Club and area churches.
“This is probably one of the most amazing towns I’ve ever lived in,” said White. “People keep going to their pockets. It’s incredible.”
The center, which houses not only the offices for the programs for seniors but also the office for Habitat for Humanity, was in dire need of repair. The floor had begun to rot around the perimeter, and when everything was taken out of the building, it was discovered that the center of the floor was also rotting.
In addition to replacing the entire floor, there have been renovations to the restrooms to make them wheelchair accessible, remodeling of the office space, expansion of the kitchen and a new roof.
To ensure the continuation of services during the renovation period, the center had to find a place to prepare the daily meals that are part of its Meals on Wheels program. For a minimal charge, it has been using the kitchen at the Knights of Columbus booth at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.
White says the center provides more than just meals and services. It offers companionship.
“For many clients, the volunteer drivers who deliver meals may be the only person (the client) talks to all day,” she said.
The senior companion program also is run out of the center. For those 60 or older, a senior companion can help them with their errands, take them to appointments or simply go to their homes and visit with them. The companion, who also must be at least 60, is paid $2.75 an hour as well as mileage. For many clients, the program provides them with someone to talk to in what may otherwise be a lonely world.
“This (the Senior Center) is so important for me,” said White. “We have the children who are our future, but we also have the seniors who are our history.”