DOWAGIAC — Sitting inside the entryway of the Cass County Council on Aging Front Street Crossing, a group of senior citizens laugh and joke with one another the way only people who have known each other for decades could.

The Dowagiac Class of 1963 visited the COA Front Street Crossing Wednesday morning. Despite the chitchat between members, the Dowagiac graduates weren’t just there to socialize, but to give back to the community. 

The committee for the Dowagiac Class of 1963 donated $500 to the COA Front Street Crossing. The donation will be used toward the COA’s ramp program, which installs ramps for limited-mobility senior citizens in Cass County.

Kelli Casey, manager of the COA Front Street Crossing, said she is grateful for the donation.

“We are ecstatic to have the donation,” she said. “We are excited to put it to good use.”

The $500 donation will partially cover the cost of one ramp installation, which costs between $1,300 and $1,500.

“We currently have 15 people on the waiting list right now for ramps this fall,” Casey said. “So, every little bit helps. It really does.”

Representatives with the Class of 1963 said giving is what they do, as the committee often donates to local causes. Committee chairman Bob Peters said the COA was chosen this year because they heard about ramp program and the Meals on Wheels program, which is run through the COA.

“They do a lot of good work in the community,” Peters said of the COA. “We’ve got a small town of around 5,000 people and we are fortunate enough to have a junior college, a hospital, our own cultural Beckwith Theatre and four golf courses. The community offers a lot, so we thought we should give back something to it, and we are always happy to do so.”

The committee was able to donate to the COA from funds raised during a 50/50 drawing at the class’ most recent reunion and from funds donated by John and Joyce Scherer.

Going into the future, Peters said the members of the committee hope to continue to be active in the Dowagiac community, as it is a city each member loves.

“I like small town atmosphere of Dowagiac, and I like that you know a lot of people in the city,” Peters said. “I like the closeness I have with the organizations, and it’s just a nice little community to raise your family. … It’s a special place, and we want to support it.”