Senior center receives grant

Chester County Commissioners recently presented a check for $300,000 to board members and staff of the Downingtown Area Senior Center. The money, awarded by the county’s Department of Community Development through federal Community Development Block Grant funds, will help with necessary renovations to the senior center’s building.

Specifically, the $300,000 will address wall renovations in the 5,000-squarefoot facility, as well as roof repairs, floor replacement and HVAC improvements. The building is located in Ashbridge Commons, in East Caln Township.

“This money will allow us to complete all of the building maintenance issues that have been thrown our way over the past two years — issues that have kept us out of the building since December,” said Ken Schreffler, Downingtown Area Senior Center’s executive director. “We are grateful for the support of the Chester County Commissioners, as well as the County’s Department of Community Development and the Office of Aging Services.”

The Downingtown Area Senior Center provides services to more than 1,500 individuals a year, including meals, health and wellness programs and social activities. The organization has been temporarily located at the Thorndale United Methodist Church. It is hoped that renovations and repairs to the Senior Center facility will be complete before the end of the year.

COURTESY PHOTO Pictured from left are Lou Kupperman, Esq., partner with Obermayer Rebmann Maxwell & Hippel; Ben Bruton, president of the Downingtown Senior Center Board; Commissioners’ Chairman Ryan Costello, Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, Commissioner Terence Farrell;...