Loogootee launches $28,000 crowdfunding campaign for Senior Center upgrades

LOOGOOTEE — Mayor Brian Ader is calling on the community to help unlock thousands of dollars in grant funding to revitalize the Loogootee Senior Citizens Center. In a video update released this week, Mayor Ader announced that the city has secured approval for a “Patronicity” crowdfunding grant. This matching program offers a dollar-for-dollar match for community donations up to $14,000, potentially providing a total of $28,000 for the facility. The project focuses on the back portion of the senior center, which currently requires several infrastructure updates. According to Martin County Alliance Executive Director Jessica Potts, the funds will be used for: New flooring throughout the designated area. Replacement windows New ceiling tiles Two ADA-accessible automatic doors to improve entry for all residents. City officials emphasized that the building serves as a vital community hub, hosting everything from senior-specific programming to local tax preparation services. The planned upgrades are expected to make the entire facility more comfortable and usable throughout the year. The fundraising campaign is now live and will run for 60 days, with a firm deadline of July 12, 2026. To kickstart the effort, Mayor Ader personally pledged the first $100 toward the goal. “We’re asking the community to support this effort and help us make these much-needed improvements for our seniors,” Ader said.