Senior Center surpasses halfway point in mortgage payoff

Weiser Activity Center for Seniors representatives made a $25,250 payment on the center’s mortgage last week. From left, Steve Cooper, Karin Hoffer, Linda Smith, and Norma Brown. Photo by Nancy Grindstaff
By:
Philip A. Janquart
The Weiser Activity Center for Seniors has officially cut the mortgage on its building by over half, a milestone that was reached last week after administrators made their latest payment at Zions Bank for more than $25,000.
It’s the third payment made in a campaign launched in November 2023 to eliminate a roughly $1,800 monthly mortgage payment that has made balancing the center’s budget and maintaining services a serious challenge.
“We want people to know that we are now under half of what we owed,” said Linda Smith, who serves as treasurer on the center’s board of directors.
The starting balance was approximately $197,000 before some key individuals initiated the campaign late last year.
Weiser resident and patron Norma Brown proposed the Evelyn Stover Challenge in honor of her late mother who was an ardent supporter and patron of the center.
Now, after only about two months, a total of three sizable payments have been made. The first was for $50,000 on Nov. 27, 2023, followed by a $32,000 payment on Dec. 20, 2023. Last week, Smith, Brown, board President Karin Hoffer, and patron Steve Cooper met at the bank to make another payment, this time in the amount of $25,250.
According to an official Zions bank statement, the current remaining balance is $84,390.58. Individuals and their families have generously donated over $107,000 so far, an amazing feat for a community Weiser’s size.
Smith said those donating can rest assure that all funds are put toward the mortgage principal.
“I’ve had people ask if all of this is getting put toward the principal and, yes, it is,” she said, adding that all donations are tax deductible.
Center Director Karin Hoffer said she is in awe of Weiser’s generosity, but added that the challenge has lost some steam. With the ultimate goal of paying off the mortgage, it’s important to keep the momentum going.
“The challenge has slowed down, so we are looking for a way to bring it back to life,” she wrote in an email. “The discussion has turned to classes that have graduated from Weiser High School and how we are all becoming, or are, senior citizens now. So, we are going to keep track of all the donations and what class they have come from.
“Either when the mortgage is paid or the end of August (2024), just before the all-class reunion, we will announce which class has donated the most and the winning class will be awarded their next class reunion dinner and location (Weiser Activity Center for Seniors) for free. That could be a saving to your party of about $500 to $1,000 for the meal and location. So, here’s wishing your class the best of luck and we look forward to your donations.”
She added, “Please be sure to write the year you graduated on your check.”
For more information, call Hoffer at (208) 550-1452, email to khoffer@weiserseniors.org, or stop by the center at 115 E. Main St.
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18 E. Idaho St.
Weiser, ID 83672
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