The Lampasas Senior Center is plagued with some exterior problems, several of which volunteers are addressing. The Lampasas Senior Center is a hub for many seniors in the community. It is open five days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for scheduled meals, card games, dominoes, quilting, visiting and much more.

Meals are delivered to homebound seniors by volunteers.

Assistance with income taxes is provided at no charge to seniors from an AARP Tax Aide volunteer each Tuesday from February through April 15.

Other services include hearing aid tests, provided monthly, and energy assistance for low-income, elderly or disabled residents.

The senior center is rented out for other functions, and meetings or classes can be held for a nominal fee when not in use for the seniors.

Transportation also can be arranged through the senior center on HOP buses or vans dispatched from there.

The center is a gathering place for many people, and as the population ages, it's importance to the community continues to grow, said Dotty McRae, center director.

Some of the exterior work has been done by volunteers. The building, which had fallen on hard times, has gotten a helping hand from Mike and Joyce Lucas, who have made the center one of their personal causes.

"The Lucases know as they get older, they too will want a nice place to go," said Ms. McRae.

"It's a matter of showing respect to our seniors. They are as important as anyone in the community, and we want to have a pleasant place for them to go during the day if they want to," said Mrs. Lucas.

Termite damage, water damage, overgrown gardens and peeling paint are just some of the problems that plague the structure.

Lucas already has painted the center's interior and the front exterior walls, donating all of his time and labor to the project.

"Seniors feel good about coming to the center now," said Ms. McRae. "It's an attractive place, both inside and out."

In the wake of the Lucases' enthusiasm for the center and their belief in its importance to the community, others also have come forward, including the local United Methodist Women, who donated money toward purchasing paint.

But more needs to be done, said the center director.

"Gardens need weeding. The restroom walls still need repair. There is termite damage on the exterior of the building -- damage that must be repaired before the rest of the exterior can be painted."

Money is needed to get the work done, particularly to repair the termite-damaged masonite siding, said the center's director.

The center is a non-profit organization.

Hill Country Community Action Association Inc. provides funding for meals and for wages for the center director, cook and a kitchen aide -- the only paid employees at the center. The rest of the staff is volunteers.

The senior center relies on donations to keep going. Volunteer help is always welcome.

For information on how to help, contact Ms. McRae at 556- 3858.