LCRA, City of Giddings award $25,000 grant to Combined Community Action
New roof at senior center will improve community meeting space
Nov. 3, 2022
LCRA and City of Giddings representatives present a $25,000 grant to Combined Community Action for a new roof on the senior center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Denice Harlan, Giddings Chamber of Commerce director; Gertrude Hobratsch, Marilyn Schautschick and Lavine Kuhlman, Lee County Senior Citizens members; David Stedman, Giddings Economic Development Corporation president; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; Alan Turner, CCA board chair; Joel Lopez, Giddings mayor; John Simmang, Giddings EDC board chair; Kelly Franke, CCA executive director; Marissa Anderson, CCA chief financial officer; Noelia Buck, CCA senior services director; Linda Cook, CCA senior center site manager; Summer Cruz, CCA senior services administrative assistant; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $8,000 in matching funds from the organization, will provide a new roof for the senior center and enable Combined Community Action to offer the facility as a meeting place to more civic groups, non-profits and the community.
“For the seniors, this is a place to meet,” said Executive Director Kelly Franke. “It’s where they come to have meals at lunchtime, play dominoes, celebrate birthdays and socialize with other seniors, which is so important. I think it’s a good thing we can provide this space to the community.”
Combined Community Action receives funding from the state and federal governments that goes directly to client services. The center has been trying to find the funds to replace the roof for about five years.
“It’s sad, but anytime we have hard rain we just leave these buckets in here,’’ Franke said. “We have stains in the ceiling and damaged ceiling tiles. It’s just not very pretty.”
She said just an inch of rain is enough to cause leaks and damage that may discourage seniors from coming to the center.
“When they are here and the roof is leaking, it just doesn’t look appealing,” she said.
Franke said receiving the grant is a blessing.
“It’s like a burden has been lifted,” she said. “Now we don’t have to keep patching it and spending money that could be used for something else. Everyone is excited that it’s finally going to be over.”
Community groups in Giddings, Lexington, Dime Box, Post Oak and Lee County are welcome to use the facility.
The community grant is one of 46 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of Giddings is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations. For more information, visit lcra.org.
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