OBSERVER file photo

The Women’s Christian Association of Fredonia, former operators of the WCA Home, held its Annual Meeting June 19, electing Lori Poniatowski as President. The association continues to meet monthly until its assets are distributed in accordance with non-profit laws. The association closed the Home in January due to financial reasons, ending the storied history of one of Fredonia’s longest-running business concerns.

“Although the WCA Home is closed and we’re seeking a new owner for the building, the WCA Board of Directors is looking beyond the bricks and mortar of 134 Temple Street,” Poniatowski said. “The new slate of officers is actively pursuing next steps, which include continuing to support the elderly in Chautauqua County by providing grants, scholarships and projects that promote services related to elder care,” she said. “Continuing the general charitable work of our predecessors remains our goal.”

In the past few months, WCA has begun to distribute items it owns to other agencies: including St. Columban’s on the Lake; Chautauqua County Rural Ministries; Lakeshore Humane Society; Westfield Canine Rescue; private health care providers; school teachers; the Fredonia Methodist Church; Brooks Hospital; Jamestown Community College nursing program and the Brocton American Legion.

Randy’s Antiques will conduct an estate sale at the WCA Home on the weekend of Aug. 11, 12, and 13. The WCA is giving the proceeds of that sale to the Barker Museum in Fredonia, which is preserving the WCA’s historical records and artifacts which extend back to the 19th century.

Outgoing president Christine Davis Mantai chaired the annual meeting, and was elected Vice President. Other officers are Cindy Coon, Secretary, and Ray Campbell, treasurer. The board of directors also includes Marjorie Plaister and Susan Sosinski.

The home’s capital assets include $855,777 in investments, down from over $2 million one year ago (invested funds were used for operational expenses the past year), and the property appraised at $1.2 million located at 134 Temple Street. The two-story, wood-frame, facility was built around a 19th century historic home owned by Mary Putnam, one of the WCA founders. It includes 37 resident rooms, five of which are double occupancy, a commercial kitchen, an elevator, a Generac industrial generator to power the entire building, central air-conditioning, a commercial fire sprinkler and recently upgraded smoke alarm system, security cameras, fiber optic wi-fi system, and is handicapped accessible.

The WCA put the property up for sale in April, after spending more than a year seeking non-profit organizations to whom it could transfer the home as a donation. For more information, email Poniatowski at poniatowskilori@gmail.com, or by calling 716-672-9945.