A window for our view, Old Town Hall needs you

The senior citizens of Odessa have been the focus of community service by the local high school chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America for the past two years. Last year the chapter was able to donate $9,000 toward the new roof on the Old Town Hall, which is used for senior meals and SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes for seniors. This year, the chapter has continued to put their efforts into improving the lives of Odessa senior citizens by assisting with yard work and chores this fall, cooking and delivering 430 freezer meals and hosting the Christmas Bash dinner party for seniors.

However, the greatest long-term need for Odessa seniors is preservation of the Old Town Hall, so that it can continue to be used as a Senior Center for senior meals, SAIL classes and other get-togethers. Meeting with Mayor Bill Crossley, Odessa Clinic manager Barb Schlimmer and Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society representative Lise Ott, FBLA members learned that replacing the windows is the next goal for this building. Members have developed a campaign slogan to raise funds for the windows: “A Window for our View, Old Town Hall Needs You!”

The objectives of the project are to 1) improve energy efficiency by replacing single-pane, wood-sash windows with vinyl-insulated, low-E picture windows (low emissivity windows cut energy loss by up to 60 percent by letting in sunlight while filtering out solar heat and damaging UV rays), 2) reduce energy bills by an estimated $1,500 annually, 3) preserve the Old Town Hall for future generations by protecting the interior from weather damage and eliminate dust blowing through the windows, 4) ensure a long-term location for Odessa senior citizen activities, 5) make available an affordable facility for all Odessa residents and guests who need meeting space or special occasion facilities.

A bid from Dale Ramm of Ramm Hardware indicates that $16,632 is needed to replace all 22 windows or $756/window. In addition to writing grants to fund the windows, the FBLA chapter is seeking individuals, families, businesses or organizations to sponsor a window. The goal is to have all 22 windows sponsored by April, 2019. The FBLA chapter has raised $756 to date and will kick off the campaign by sponsoring the first window. Leffel, Otis & Warwick has agreed to sponsor the second. FBLA members will make presentations throughout the community in the hope of gaining 20 additional sponsors.

For more information about the Old Town Hall windows project, interested persons can call Paul Scheller at 509-988-0234 or Lise Ott at 509-988-0085. For information about the FBLA’s window campaign or how to sponsor a window, contact FBLA adviser Terri King at 509-988-0430. Informational flyers can be found at the post office and Odessa Drug. Those choosing to sponsor a window should mail checks to the Old Town Hall Rejuvenation Society, c/o Faye King, 16790 King Ranch Road E., Odessa WA 99159.