NAP fundraising

For Laura Ford, Administrator at the Kennett OAKS Senior Nutrition Center, making sure seniors throughout Kennett and the southern end of Dunklin County have what they need to remain healthy and independent longer is her main priority and goal, but it is a challenge and one that she says she will meet.

“The OAKS has been serving seniors in this area since 1973 and according to my head cook, Mary Emery, it has always been in the community building of Housing Authority,” said Ford. “But after 45 years, we are outgrowing it and the needs of seniors are changing; therefore, we need to change with it.”

With the increase in the senior population, a larger building was needed, and Visiting Nurses Association answered their prayers by donating their old buildings to the senior community for the new OAKS location. “I stepped into this position in April 2016, and in May the deed was signed over to Aging Matters for Kennett OAKS,” said Ford. “It was at that point we had to determine how we were going to raise the funds to remodel the 9,000 square feet building and how we would be able to support it.”

According to Ford, supporting the building after the remodel was the purpose of the city sales tax for senior programs, and with the successful passage of the tax (twice), raising the funds through grants and individuals is now the focus. Ford added, “We have started the project by completing the demolition of the inside, but now we have to complete the sale of the NAP Tax Credits for the remaining funds to finish the renovations.”

The center was awarded the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) Tax Credit Grant at the end of August, and after the sale of the $350,000 tax credits at 70 percent, they would have the $500,000 needed for the project. Ford stated that NAP has been promoted by the Department of Economic Development to assist communities for many years by allowing state taxes to go to areas, like Kennett and Dunklin County, that need help building programs and businesses. In the case of the OAKS, donors who donate $10,000 to the center, 70 percent of that amount ($7,000) is purchased in tax credits allowing the donor to apply those credits against the amount of tax owed to the state of Missouri. If the amount purchased does not exceed the amount owed to the state, they can take the remaining and apply it to what is owed over the following four years.

Not only can they apply the credits to their state taxes, but Ford said it was her understanding that the full amount can be deducted from their Federal tax like any other charity. “So, in a sense, they are making money when they donate,” said Ford. “I don’t know if it is true or not, but I was also told that this would be the last year the whole donation could be applied to the Federal deduction.” Ford said that donors would need to ask their CPA’s about it, because that information did not come from a CPA.

“We can’t move forward until we have sold all of these credits,” stressed Ford. “We are trying to contact CPA’s, bank managers, farmers, and businesses who would benefit from the donation to the center. Raising money is never easy, and for the OAKS, this project is important to a healthy senior community.”

Ford says as people age and retire, they are affected physically, mentally, and financially because they are no longer active, socially engaged, and working. It is this change that causes their health to decline; however, with a place to exercise, socialize, stay engaged, and have purpose, they are less likely to develop chronic illnesses, suffer from depression, and develop some forms of dementias. “Many seniors do not want to go to a gym to exercise because of the intimidation and walking outside is out of the question for fear of falling or, even worse, being attacked physically or verbally,” said Ford. “The new OAKS will have an indoor walking track, two sets of shuffleboard tiles, an exercise room stocked with equipment especially designed for seniors, a library and sitting area, a computer room equipped with eleven donated computers, a large dining hall equipped with projector/speaker system/large screen for movies and programs, an attached 3,000 sq. ft. building will house game rooms, arts and crafts, and a small “Arts and Crafts Boutique where the public can purchase the quilts, paintings, and other items created by the seniors.” Ford added that the small boutique would help to support the upkeep of the programs in the smaller building, and with all of the added projects and programs, volunteering by the seniors will give them a reason for going to the center each day. “Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed,” said Ford. “They need to know they are needed, and this center will offer that opportunity to bring purpose to their lives again.” Ford also stated that special programs and support groups like a Family Caregiver Support Group and a Veterans Program in coordination with the Glenn Wilcoxson Veterans Center, will be added to the curriculum at the center.

“We would like to be moved into new location by June 19, 2019,” said Ford. “So, you can see how imperative it is for us to get the tax credits sold.” Ford reported that they have approximately $250,000 credits left to sell.

“Everyone is will one day be a senior, because the alternative is not good,” said Ford. “And having a safe, economical place to eat, congregate, and exercise is what they will be looking for, so by the time the young are seniors, the center will be going strong. This is not just for this generation, but it is for future generations as well.”

For more information about NAP and to purchase tax credits, go to www.kennettOAKS.com and click on NAP, or call Laura Ford at 573-888-9852 or Rhonda Bramlett at 573-335-3331 ext. 112.