Dress Down Day Supports Elevator Project

Small communities exist on two locations socially: a school and a church. Both are used as "community centers," locations for public events.

However, when the design of the facility limits access to a percentage of the population, it is not as public as it is intended.

The Church of the Plains in Dalton is facing such a dilemma and its members are working to address the shortfall. Residents and parishioners with limited mobility sometimes have to choose between seeking help up the stairs or not attending services or a community event. Church members are in the process of retrofitting the church to be more handicap-accessible with a lift system and a new bathroom.

"We've had weddings, and funerals where people can't come because it wasn't accessible," said Barb Reimers.

She said the accessibility for wheelchair-bound residents also impacts church services and other community events. The church decided in January to pursue a lift system for wheelchair users. The wheelchair lift includes an addition to the church. A bathroom was added to the basement for wheelchair-accessibility. The new bathroom required removal of the furnace, replaced with a new model.

Plans are to have the wheelchair lift in place and useable by this fall.

Thursday, July 18, the Church of the Plains received a $331.77 donation toward the project from the Cheyenne County Chamber of Commerce Dress Down Days.

Participating businesses donate funds in exchange for their employees dressing more casual on the appointed day. Guidelines for eligibility simple: as long as it is a community betterment project. The award is determined by the Dress Down Day committee.