The Salem Elks Lodge has presented a $3,000 check to Mission Salem.
The grant writer for the Elks, Mike Hooe, says the money is coming from the national Elks organization.
“This is our gratitude grant, and this grant is available to us every year. Because our lodge is so active, we get an extra thousand dollars added into that this year,” Hooe said. “It was $3000 available this year. We talked to Mission Salem, determined that they really had a need right now, and we’re just glad that we could apply for that (grant) and were successful in receiving it.”
The check was accepted by the President of Mission Salem Angie Courtright. She says it is enough money to build five additional ramps.
“Just to give you an example,” Courtright said, “a couple of the ramps that we built today are allowing those homeowners to come home out of a rehab center rather than going to a nursing home or health facility.”
Courtright says so far this year they have built 30 ramps and are now reaching the 175 mark since Mission Salem began the project.
Vice President Randy Donoho says construction is nearing completion on their new location in the Salem Westside Industrial Park. He reports plumbing work is currently being completed.
“I’m hoping to be moved in by the middle of next month,” Donoho said. “We won’t be done with the construction inside, but we’ll be able to get out of the building that we’re in. I want to say to the people out there in our community, every little bit helps. Whatever they chip in, it’s more than what we had.”
So far $65,000 in donations have been raised for construction of the new building. The total cost of the new facility will be $100,000 so additional help is still needed.
Mission Salem received another boost this week when more than 40 volunteers from North American Lighting built five ramps as part of Honda Service Days. NAL is also expected to donate nearly $1,000 to the organization as well.
