Senior center sent new seats

Donna Pipher, Hanna Senior Center Director, said when a woman came into the facility, she thought it was to use the bathrooms.

"The lady walked around for a few minutes and then came up to me and told me that we had such a nice senior center and that she was very surprised," Pipher said. "We visited and then she went on her way on whatever she was doing in Hanna."

The woman was Leslie Blythe, Regional Business Manager for Rocky Mountain Power.

Pipher was not sure why Blythe was in town, but she said Blythe was extremely friendly and left after talking for about 15 minutes.

"I really just thought she was someone who had just come in to make conversation," Pipher said.

Blythe had come into the center sometime during mid summer and Pipher had not given much thought to the visit until a call came in November.

When Pipher was asked over the telephone if she remembered the visit, Pipher said she did.

"She said, Rocky Mountain Power has some money left over and I would like to see your center get some of it," Pipher recounted. "So I told her I would have the director of the Carbon County Senior Services get in touch."

Blythe told Pipher Rocky Mountain had already contributed to Carbon County Senior Services, but she wanted the money go directly to the center in Hanna.

"I liked your little center so well and I want money to go specifically to your center," Pipher recounted Blythe's words. "I thought that was so kind of her to think of us."

Pipher was honored the Hanna Senior Center had made such an impression on Blythe.

"Leslie told me to put down what we thought we could use and tell for what," Pipher said. "So Bob Patton and I got online and filled out the application."

Pipher asked for $1,500 and said she hoped for $500. She did not think the entire amount requested would happen, but a check arrived from Rocky Mountain Power for $1,500.

"We were so happy," Pipher said. "Bob got online and ordered them and we got them in a week."

The new chairs are not only more comfortable according to Pipher, but they have sliders on each foot.

"This was Bob's idea because he knew some of the seniors had trouble pulling the chairs from out under the table," Pipher said. "Bob is such a good guy for noticing little things like that."

When the chairs came, it was pointed out by Felicia Million, a worker at the Hanna Senior Center, the colors matched exactly the draperies of the center.

"It was like the chairs were exactly made for this place," Million said. "The funny thing is, with Bob and Donna being color blind, they had no idea how perfectly they matched the colors."

Pipher said when she was talking to Blythe about any extra money available from Rocky Mountain Power, Pipher told her Wee Folks PreSchool could use some assistance.

Rocky Mountain Power contributed money.

"We are so touched by what Leslie and Rocky Mountain Power did for our community," Pipher said. "It was just excellent what they did."

A Rocky Mountain Power representative commented on the company's giving policy.

"Rocky Mountain Power and our employees have a stake in our local communities and we value opportunities to support these great organizations like the Hanna Senior Center and Wee Folks Preschool," said Mike Morrissey, Rocky Mountain Power regional business manager.

There is a sad note to this story.

Blythe passed away Jan. 5 at the age of 59.

When Pipher learned of Blythe's death, she said it was a terrible loss for all who knew this kind woman.