Donations and a fundraising campaign will allow the Plains-Paradise Senior Center to continue its mission of serving the community.

Area residents stepped up and donated nearly $18,000 through a mail campaign while two grants of $5,000 each from Town Pump and Blackfoot Communications paved the way for needed renovations. One benevolent resident donated $1,000, too.

“We’re very thankful to the community for its support and all the donations,” Senior Center president Sheryl Wachob said.

The building’s exterior needed repairs for water damage and new paint and for some possible structural damage. The costs were estimated at about $13,000.

The donations also went toward a renovation to the kitchen, and a new heating pump costing about $12,600.

The Plains Paradise Senior Center was challenged by Covid-19 this last year to continue serving its senior citizens. Despite these challenges, home delivered meals continued without interruption.

Sit-down meals were discontinued, but grab-and-go meals were implemented.

The center is the focal point for senior activities. The building is currently being used for bingo (open only to members and their guests), bunco, Mavericks Square Dancers, Back Country Horsemen, commodities distribution, private parties, and other community events.