Rummaging for repairs

The 28-year-old Lake City Center in Coeur d'Alene gets about 2,000 regular visitors each month, and while the building is still operational, it is in need of many repairs.

"Basically the place is still functioning," said event director Jessica Logan, adding that some of the repairs needed are small and some are larger projects. "We are trying to correct some of the items as soon as we see them on the repairs so it's not detrimental."

One dire need of the center is the paint and siding along the back of the building, where the sun beats down on it day after day, is peeled and beginning to rot from the bottom. Logan said they have been getting bids on the project and it is going to cost "tens of thousands" to repair.

Some of the other needs include furnace repair, and windows, the kitchen floor, counters and cupboards will need replacing in the near future. Logan said even the upcoming carpet cleaning will cost a minimum of $500.

Meals on Wheels director Kris Wright and volunteer Eunice Puglia were a couple of the volunteers helping out Logan on Saturday during a large rummage sale the center put on in attempt to raise funds for some of the repairs.

"It means a lot," Wright said about raising money for the repairs. "And since this community is so great, what else but to have a rummage sale."

Wright said people from the community brought in "truckloads" of donations, and by 10 a.m. Saturday they had already sold many items as a steady flow of people browsed the sale. Puglia had created colorful, hand-made rugs with material from things like T-shirts and bedding to sell. Jayne Downs, a good friend of Wright's who died recently, had donated several porcelain collectible dolls. Table after table full of kitchen items, clothes, electronics and more lined the dining room area and furniture filled the hallway.

Lake City Center can hold about 200 people, so Logan said they rent the center out for events, such as weddings, which helps with funding for the nonprofit. They also hold bingo twice a week, lunches for seniors four days a week and host the Meals on Wheels program for homebound seniors. Various classes are held throughout the week, including dancing, Tai Chi, computer instruction, art classes and more.

This was the first rummage sale fundraiser at the center since 2011, but Logan said they hold several other fundraisers for different projects. The center also needs new chairs which will cost $5,000, and the Lions Club needs more than $1,000 for a client's eye surgery and eye-sight program, so the two organizations teamed up to hold a barbeque fundraiser every Thursday this summer. The Baked Potato Bar every fourth Friday helps fund operational costs and they also have seasonal fundraising events, such as the Harvest Dance in October. Logan said they will plan more fundraisers in the next three to six months.

Wright and Puglia said the one thing that makes Lake City Center so special is the people.

"The seniors are phenomenal," Puglia said. "I think it's the friendliest place."

Wright said even the people who are not seniors are friendly, creating a "very uplifting" atmosphere.

Logan, who has worked there for nine years, also said the people — the seniors in particular who volunteer, work and participate at the center — make the experience worthwhile.

"There is history in who they are and what they say," Logan said. "You can learn a lot from them. We are all going to be a senior one day and I think we all should give back to our community in one way or another."