LUCERNE— At the monthly Lucerne Alpine Senior Center meeting on October 22, the board of directors were the recipients of a $5,000 donation from the California Water Service. The Water Service is the Lucerne area water supplier. During emergencies, they have also provided bottled water and other supplies in support of the town and the Senior Center which has been used in past emergencies as an emergency shelter.
Shannon McGovern, regional community affairs specialist with the water service, was on hand to present the award.
“We are so happy to be a community sponsor of the senior center,” said McGovern. She acknowledged past collaborations with former county supervisor Jim Steele, who was on hand to deliver a donation.
Board Chair Paula Bowman expressed her gratitude, “Our Board is truly fortunate to be supported in this way,” she said. “We will continue to invest funds donated to the improvement of this venerable building so that we can better serve our growing population of seniors in the area.”
McGovern explained that like everyone else, the publicly traded private water agency which serves approximately two million customers, has had to make adjustments to their operations, including a daily virtual COVID report with all employees. “The company is working hard to make sure that during the COVID crisis, employees and customers are safe and do not have to deal with disruptions in water service,” she said.
Representing the Lake County Silver Foundation, Steele also presented a cash award of $1,000. “This award is made possible through the generosity of the Benmore Valley Ranch Project,” he said.
Steele also acknowledged a recent $6,000 grant to the Silver Foundation from Calpine to help seniors. “This grant made it possible to support the Lucerne Senior Center with $2,000 in cash donations earlier in the year,” he said.
The Silver Foundation is working on another grant for the Senior Center that would help with major renovations including solar, handicap access and other improvements. “Anyone who would like to contribute should contact the Foundation at 707-830-0178,” Steele said.
Board member and Acting General Manager Richard Radovic added his thanks. “We are working hard to make some long-needed improvements to the facility.”
Radovic also explained that the Lucerne Senior Center has recently stopped all indoor congregate meal services and other activities due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns. “We have continued serving the needs of the community with drive-by food distribution programs and, the Thrift Store – our main source of income – is open with COVID precautions in place,” he said.
“When the doors once again open to inhouse dining and community activities, we hope the facility will be showcasing many improvements, including new refrigeration, kitchen and restroom updates and various other overdo improvements,” Radovic said, adding, “It is through the generosity of others that we are able to weather the ups and downs associated with running the Center.”
