Randolph County Senior receives funding for new roof

ELKINS -- In need of a new roof for its facility, the Randolph County Senior Center received help last week in the form of some Local Economic Development Assistance Grants.

Delegate Ty Nestor, R-District 66, along with State Senator Robert Karnes, R-11th District, and State Senator Bill Hamilton, R-11 District, made a stop at the Senior Center to present a check to Randolph County Senior Center Director Laura Ward in the amount of $87,000.

The cost to replace the existing roof, which was put on the facility in 2001, is $197,000.

"Senator Karnes and Senator Hamilton were able to secure money from the Senate from those funds and Delegate Nestor was able to secure some from the delegates," said Ward. "We really appreciate the help from all three of them -- they are always really good to us. I'm just very grateful."

Ward said that the Senior Center has already budgeted $80,000 toward the cost of the roof. With the money the center received last week, it still needs $30,000 to complete the project.

"We have requested the additional $30,000 that we need from the Randolph County Commission," she said. "We haven't heard back on that request yet, but I feel confident they will help us. They are very good to us as well and have helped us a lot in the past."

The current roof, which had a 15-year warranty, served its purpose and remained strong until the last couple of years. Ward said keeping the facility safe for its seniors is a top priority.

"We need to make sure we take care of this building," said Ward. "It's the hub of all the senior services in the whole county. We have to make sure that we have a safe, healthy environment from which to provide those services."

The Randolph County Senior Center provides a friendly and fun environment for all persons 60 years of age and older. Seniors are invited to join the Senior Center for meals and activities with no dues or membership fees.

The RCSC's services are designed to keep seniors active and living independently. A variety of in-home care programs are offered to meet a full range of needs, including information, outreach, and referrals, as well as transportation, nutrition, recreation, assisted transportation, housekeeping, telephone reassurance, SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program), in-home respite, medical supply lending closet, monthly newsletter and health screenings.

For more information call the Senior Center at 304-636-4747 or go to www.randolphcountyseniorcenter.com