Loogootee Announces $14,000 Matching Grant Challenge for Senior Center Renovation

(If we reach our $14,000 goal by July 12, 2026, the IHCDA will match your donation dollar-for-dollar! Donate at Patronicity.com through the following link: https://www.patronicity.com/project/loogootee_senior_center_renovation)

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A Legacy Rediscovered

The Loogootee Senior Citizens Center -- located at 406 NW 1st Street in the City Annex (the former St. John School) -- is owned by the City of Loogootee and managed collaboratively with the Martin County Council on Aging and Generations. First opened in March 1974, the center was once the bustling heart of our city, where nearly 50 residents gathered daily for lunch and fellowship.

First opened in March 1974, the center was once the bustling heart of our city, where nearly 50 residents gathered daily for lunch and fellowship. We were recently reminded of this vibrant legacy when community champions Tom and Jane Walker discovered a scrapbook while cleaning out a cabinet. It served as a beautiful reminder of what the center once was and what it could be again. After years of declining participation, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic, the center had faded into a quiet space used only twice a month. But a chance observation by Jessica Potts of the Martin County Alliance sparked a vision to reclaim this lost cornerstone of Loogootee.

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The "Community Roots" Success Story

In 2025, the Loogootee Senior Center underwent a massive physical transformation thanks to the "Community Roots" project. This ambitious effort was supported by nearly $31,000 in foundational grants, including $10,000 from the Martin County Community Foundation and $20,827 from the Being for Others Health and Wellness Foundation. These funds allowed us to successfully modernize the front 1,100 square feet of the facility, replacing a broken sidewalk and uneven ramp with a smooth concrete entrance pad. We also improved the building's efficiency and aesthetics by installing high-quality front windows, a new exterior door, and beautiful floating laminate flooring.

The project became a true showcase of local volunteerism. Residents like Candy VanLue dedicated time to refreshing 30-year-old kitchen cabinets, while the local company Gold Bond donated new ceiling tiles. Artistic flair was added by high school senior Ella Parker, who painted a vibrant community mural that greets every visitor. Even our local students joined the cause, with high school shop classes helping to wall off two private back offices. These rooms now provide a professional, private space for the more than 330 seniors who utilize the center for vital tax preparation services every year.

The ribbon-cutting of the new and improved Loogootee Senior Center took place on March 17th, 2026 and since has been alive with energy every single day of the work week. Under the guidance of a volunteer activity board led by Pat Daugherty, our seniors are staying active and connected through a diverse schedule of events. Health and wellness are top priorities, with exercise classes featuring resistance bands held twice weekly and specialized strength training provided by Harvest Health and Rehab on the first Wednesday of each month. Social connection remains the backbone of the center; Tuesday card games regularly attract 10 to 15 players, while our lively bingo sessions often draw crowds of up to 30 people.

Beyond games and fitness, the center is a place of intergenerational joy where we bridge the gap between our youth and our elders. It is common to see Shoals culinary students cooking alongside our seniors or to find our local police and fire chiefs hosting safety seminars on how to identify scammers and prevent home fires. To ensure that our residents are well-fed and socially engaged, congregate meals (provided by the Martin County Council on Aging) are served every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 11:00 AM. This program provides both essential nutrition and a welcoming social outlet, proving that the center has once again become a vital part of daily life in Loogootee.

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Despite Success, Some Renovations Still Need Completed

While the front room is a place of pride, the back half of our 2,200-square-foot facility remains in urgent need of repair. Currently, the backroom has stained carpet, exposed concrete, and original windows that let in the winter cold. Furthermore, the interior double doors are not yet handicap accessible, and the hallway ceiling tiles are discolored and falling.

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Grant Opportunity -- How You Can Help!

We have launched a $14,000 Patronicity crowdfunding campaign to:

1. Install matching laminate flooring throughout the backroom.
2. Replace the drafty back windows with high-efficiency units.
3. Install a truly handicap-accessible interior entrance.
4. Repair the hallway ceiling and lighting.

This is a special "all-or-nothing" matching grant opportunity as part of the part of the CreatINg Livable Communities Partnership between AARP Indiana and Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority's (IHCDA) CreatINg Places. This partnership assists Indiana communities in funding place-based projects for aging in place. If we reach our $14,000 goal by July 12, 2026, the IHCDA will match your donation dollar-for-dollar! We are also eligible for an additional $5,000 in matching funds from AARP Indiana.

Ways to Give:

• Online: Donate at Patronicity.com through the following link: https://www.patronicity.com/project/loogootee_senior_center_renovation
• In-Person/Mail: Make checks payable to the City of Loogootee (Memo: Loogootee Senior Center). Drop off or mail to: 401 John F Kennedy Ave, Loogootee, IN 47553

With your support, we can complete the revitalization of the entire Loogootee Senior Center and ensure it remains a welcoming, accessible space for seniors in our community for years to come. Thank you in advance for any and all donations. Every dollar really does count!

Questions? Contact Mayor Brian Ader or Amber Gilbertson at 812-295-1000.