By Carol Stiffler
An anonymous donor made a $15,000 contribution to the Tahquamenon Area Senior Citizens fund for a new roof last week, bringing their balance up to the full amount needed to pay for a new roof.
Senior Citizens Director Peggy Dahn said she has no idea who the donor is. The donation came in through the LINK and the donor asked to remain anonymous. Dahn, while dazzled, is respecting the donor’s wishes.
“I thank them so, so much,” Dahn said. “It’s such an act of kindness. It means so much to everyone in the community, and everyone who works there.”
The new roof, which will be installed later this year by Great Lakes Roofing, is estimated to cost $62,000. The existing roof leaks in several places.
“The community went above and beyond helping us out,” Dahn said, “ with donations to sell and money coming in, or both.”
A local fundraiser, headed up by Jo Tranchita at Seder’s Pizza, also challenged local businesses to “Raise the roof” and compete to see who could bring in the greatest amount of donations for the center. Newberry Motors took the prize. The fundraiser raised an overall total of $3,732.
Now that the roof fund is met, the center may keep collecting all Monday profits for building projects. Dahn said the carpet in the thrift store needs to be replaced, and the men’s bathroom needs to be updated.
While raising funds for their own roof, which will also replace the portion over the LINK, the senior citizens didn’t miss a beat. They continued to cycle their income back into the community, assisting with funding for sports teams, the school band, community meals, and more.
“That’s what we were here for in the beginning – to help the community,” Dahn said. “We are a non-profit. We aren’t doing this for us.”
