RCAS dedicates sparkling new facilities

Remodeling of the RC Area Seniors? banquet/dining room faciltites has been completed. ?This is the opening of Phase II, that was completed June 30 and turned over to us by USDA, who signed everything over at that time,? said Milt Very, RCAS president, at Sunday?s open house. The renovation had previously been completed on the new kitchen facilities and the gathering and lounging area.

?This used to be the warehouse portion of the building,? Very said. ?What we?ve done is to put in a new floor; lowered the ceiling and installed insulation; put in recessed ceiling lighting and also wall sconce lighting that can be dimmed to create different kinds of lighting atmosphere. ?We?ve also put in new heating and air conditioning,? Very added.

The RCAS kitchen is capable of serving up to 1,000 meals. The organization is presently working with the American Red Cross and P.I. Sheriff?s Department to have the facility designated as a disaster site to serve the public when and if necessary. According to Very, the hall is available for community and individual use upon request and reservation. ?Because we are non-profit, we operate on donations,? Very stated. ?But we do need to cover our costs; we?ve had a class reunion here and Weight Watchers meets every Thursday.? The original lounge area in the front of the building will handle between 30 and 40 people at a time.

THE RCAS center serves lunches on Tuesday and Thursday at noon for $2. Dinners are served Monday, Wednesday and Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. for a $2.75 donation. ?We?re here not just for seniors,? Very said. ?We welcome anyone in the community to come over and make use of the facilities. We do not have a membership. This is a non-profit, non-membership organization,? Very added.

A 50/50 raffle is offered at the meal times and from those profits, the group has purchased a large-screen TV that includes DVD and VCR capabilities. ?We aren?t hooked up yet because we haven?t decided whether to go with satellite or cable. We?ll be playing movies and travelogues and a history program from 1940-1945 for reminiscing pleasure of the folks until we get things hooked up,? Very said. More than a half million dollars has been spent in renovating the senior center with its fifth anniversary celebrated last May. ?It all started with two people and $24,? Very said. ?I think we?ve come a long, long way. We have more than 700 names on our mailing list, and every month the numbers increase.?

THE CENTER has served more than 20,000 meals since its inception and averages about 650 meals per month. Very said meals are available for people to take out to those who are homebound. Meals on wheels is not yet a

vailable through RCAS but the organization will now set its sights on Phase III, which will include and focus on community outreach programs.

?We?re hoping to begin a respite care program for seniors and their caregivers,? Very continued. ?There are a lot of folks out there who are care providers 24/7 and who need a break from the tedium of caregiving.? Very said he is hoping the center will be able to provide volunteers to go in homes and help with the caregiving duties to allow the regular caregiver some time to relax. The center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. for activities and meals.

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