Mount Si Senior Center shelter powers up with help from PSE, Rotary, North Bend, Cascade Covenant

Pete Bullard, left, incoming president of the Snoqualmie Valley Rotary, accepts a check from Puget Sound Energy
Photo by William Shaw
Pete Bullard, left, incoming president of the Snoqualmie Valley Rotary, accepts a check from Puget Sound Energy's Jason Van Nort and Kathy Johnson at a special Rotary presentation Thursday, Feb. 21. The funds are part of a set of grants making Mount Si Senior Center a better-equipped local emergency storm shelter.

February 22, 2013 · Updated 12:46 PM 

Storm-caused power outages in the Valley will pose a smaller threat to the more vulnerable in North Bend's vicinity, thanks to new grants that make Mount Si Senior Center a stronger emergency shelter.

Today, the Puget Sound Energy Foundation presented a check to The Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley for $20,000 for local shelter needs, during the club’s regular meeting at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge.

The Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley applied for the Grant through the Foundation to equip the Mount Si Senior Center as an emergency warming shelter. The center has been designated by King County and the American Red Cross as an emergency shelter; However, it currently lacks the backup power generator and gas water heaters needed to fully operate in that capacity.

The funds will be used to purchase an automatic transfer switch and generator, including gas water heaters. A storage shed for storing supplies is also planned.

When operational the Shelter would operate 24 hours a day and offer both Valley residents and Puget Sound Energy repair crews heat, light, bathrooms, coffee, hot and cold foods, drinking water and emergency supplies.

The Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley has committed $5,000 to the project and has been informed by Rotary District 5030 that it will receive a matching grant of $5,000. The Club has also been awarded a $3,000 grant from the City of North Bend and $2,500 from Cascade Covenant Church for the project.

The Rotary Club of Snoqualmie Valley is a service organization that welcomes working and retired men and women interested in working for the good of their own as well as international communities.

Local Rotarians meet at 7 a.m. every Thursday at the TPC Snoqualmie Ridge. The club supports various community projects and is currently involved with the Mt. Si Senior Center, Mt. Si High School student scholarships, Rotary Park in Snoqualmie and various international projects ranging from water and malaria projects in Africa and medicines for Haiti. Fundraising activities include the Summer Rotary Golf Tournament and the Mt Si Festival Beer Garden.

You can learn more to be a member by e-mailing Charlotte Jacobs at charjcbs@aol.com.

 

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