Photo Gallery: Annex Renovations Tour and MCCAC Volunteer and Contractor Appreciation Lunch

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Attendees enjoy a bit of sunshine, shade, and bbq at The Annex on July 21, 2023.

By Cole Goodwin

The Dalles, OR, July 21, 2023– Mid Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) held a Contractor and Volunteer appreciation lunch at The Annex in The Dalles today, to thank all the folks, including 21 local contractors that have done work on The Annex over the last six months. 

Glen Thorton, MCCAC’s Weatherization Program Manager AKA the “Rib Dude” provided his well renowned barbecue skills to feed award worthy ribs to the 75 people who RSVP’d to the event. The Barbeque also included smoked cheese, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw. 

Glen Thorton AKA “the rib dude” (pictured right) has traveled around made is famous ribs for everyone form Walmart Executives and renowned award winning BBQ finalists to MCCAC volunteers.

“He makes phenomenal barbecue and we’re lucky to have him on our team to feed us,” said Kenny LaPoint, MCCAC Executive Director. 

Lots of smiling faces agreed and a CCCNews taste test confirmed that the barbecue was nothing short of top tier.

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Photo Gallery: Click on a photo to enlarge.

While volunteers, contractors, and staff enjoyed a much deserved lunch break LaPoint gave CCCNews a tour of the renovations to the new building. MCCAC has now mostly finished and furnished the client rooms. But additional funding totaling some $509,000 is allowing MCCAC to put in just a few finishing touches before it opens to those in need in August.

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Welcome baskets made by a a church group lead by Tyler Beane Kelly, of Zion Lutheran Church.

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Bunk beds allow for up to four people to share a room.

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While some bathrooms are complete, others like this one-are still undergoing renovation.

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Renovations still underway include the installation of new steel railing on the top floor and communal laundry spaces upstairs and downstairs. The resurfacing of the upper deck a reworked staircase. And the renovation of the bathrooms and on-site managers office and apartment. 

And a redesign of the parking lot on the west side of the property to include an astroturf area for pets, a playground for youth and families experiencing houselessness, and $5,000 in landscaping paid for by The City of The Dalles Beautification Committee. The landscaping will be made to blend in with the existing landscaping that exists on the crosswalk island which sits kitty corner to the parking lot.

Sammy Alvarez, of Sammy A Floor Covering hard at work installing a kitchen in the on-site managers apartment.

The upper level walkway will soon be resurfaced.

The wood railing which will soon be replaced.

Newly painted steel railings drying in the summer heat.

Contractors hard at work.

New gravel being put down in the westside parking lot.

Photo Gallery: Click on a photo to enlarge.

Once renovations are complete MCCAC will begin opening to those in need in three phases. Moving in pallet shelter clients first, then families, and then other clients.

For more information about the Annex, energy and utility assistance, rent and eviction prevention, houseless assistance and more visit: MCCAC.com

To donate to MCCAC’s clients visit Purposity.com

Related Reading: $1.6 million in Renovations to MCCAC Navigation Center Annex Near Completion

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